Dean Huijsen AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth signed Dean Huijsen from Juventus for an initial transfer fee of just €15 million but in one year, the Spaniard has become one of the most sought-after defenders in European football.
The 19-year-old has played just 27 games for the Cherries this season but he’s already wanted by some of the biggest European clubs. Obviously, he’s had interest from the Premier League with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all looking at him for some time. Then, in Spain, Real Madrid seem to be very keen to bring him on board during the upcoming summer window.
The defender’s mature performances at just 19 have impressed everyone and the fact that he has a release clause of just €60 million makes him an even more lucrative option. At a time when the big clubs are being forced to spend absurd amounts on young talents, Dean Huijsen will be available for a bargain.
Will Dean Huijsen remain in the PL or will he return to his homeland?
Dean Huijsen played some of his youth career in Spain with Malaga before joining Juventus’ U17 team in the 21/22 season. He played 14 games on loan with Roma but ever since his move to England, the youngster seems to have matured overnight.
Any team which signs him will have gotten a world-class central defender for the next eight to ten seasons. The three PL sides will be very confident of signing the youngster but the fact that Real Madrid are lurking will be an issue for these English giants.
A report in Sky Sports has also claimed that the youngster has decided to leave England and return to Spain at the end of the 24/25 season.
Man United and Liverpool are hoping against hope:
Manchester United are perhaps the lowest in the pecking order because they have multiple areas to fix and the centre-back will be the least of their concern because Ruben Amorim already has the likes of De Ligt, Maguire, Haven, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro.
Even with the likes of Jonny Evans and Lindelof set to leave, it will be very hard for MUFC to convince Huijsen to join their rebuild.
Liverpool view Dean Huijsen as the long-term replacement for Virgil Van Dijk and with the Dutchman set to leave, the Reds will be desperate to get their hands on the 19-year-old.
Also, the €60 million release clause will fit align perfectly with the club’s summer transfer budget.
Chelsea seem to be the best bet to keep the centre-back in England:
Chelsea are also reshuffling their pack and signing a new centre-back is a priority for Enzo Maresca. However, there are mixed reports coming out of Europe when it comes to Chelsea’s interest in Dean Huijsen.
One report is suggesting that the Blues are ready to outbid Real Madrid in this transfer race but another one is claiming that Chelsea have pulled out of this transfer race because they want to focus on signing Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
We aren’t sure what Chelsea are planning to do but the buzz around Europe is that Real Madrid are the current favourites to sign the 19-year-old. Madrid seem to be in advanced talks with the player’s representatives and they are confident of beating the other suitors.
Is a move to Real Madrid inevitable?
Madrid are rebuilding for the future and they are already set to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer. The club’s also provided a new deal to Raul Asencio and he along with Dean Huijsen can be the ideal replacements to ageing defenders for the ageing defenders Alaba and Antonio Rudiger.
Chelsea and possibly Liverpool will give it their all to sign the centre-back but the lure of Real Madrid is something else and in the end, that could be the deciding factor.
While on international duty Huijsen has very fondly talked about his idol Sergio Ramos and he also expressed gratitude regarding the links with Real Madrid.
“It’s an honour when you hear about Real Madrid interest, I’m proud to have such a big club interested in me,” the 19-year-old said while on Spain duty(as quoted). “It’s special for sure. My idol is Sergio Ramos, he’s a reference. For me, he’s the best centre-back in history. He has everything, he’s a legend.”
As per Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have very a good relationship with Huijsen’s entourage but the centre-back has decided to join Real Madrid in the summer.