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Justin Kluivert has seemingly admitted defeat in Bournemouth’s fight to keep reported Newcastle United target Dean Huijsen.
Several Premier League clubs are understood to be monitoring the 19-year-old’s situation. Signed last summer for just £12million, Huijsen has emerged as one of the top flight’s best prospects and is already attracting interest from Europe’s elite.
The centre-back made his Spain debut during the international break against the Netherlands, his country of birth. Met by boos during the first leg, Huijsen - who moved to Marbella as a five-year-old and assisted Lamine Yamal in extra time three days later.
Spain booked their spot in the Nations League semi-final and Huijsen’s became a post-match talking point. Kluivert - who bagged a hat-trick against Newcastle at St James’ Park last month - was on the losing side as the Netherlands crashed out.
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However, he eulogised his Bournemouth teammate while appearing to accept that Huijsen’s future lies beyond the south coast. Kluivert told Marca: “He plays for Bournemouth with me. He is a great player. Spain have a phenomenon (who will play) for so many years.
“He is truly amazing. He came to England in the summer and adapted fantastically. He is so young, he already plays for Spain and he plays like this. I’m sure he will have a lot of offers in the summer. And we all know that next year he won’t be with us at Bournemouth.”
The comments came amid reported interest from Champions League powerhouse Real Madrid. Starring for Spain at 19 puts Huijsen in the shop window for La Liga clubs.
Various sources have named Newcastle as a potential destination as Eddie Howe looks to the future. Toon chiefs targeted a youthful centre-back last summer when they failed to land Marc Guehi.
With Fabian Schar and Dan Burn approaching the twilight of their careers and Sven Botman’s injury woes persisting, the position remains on the St James’ Park shortlist. Ironically, the Magpies were linked with Huijsen - valued at £50million - before his move to Bournemouth.
Andoni Iraola has already told Newcastle United what Dean Huijsen brings
Cherries boss Andoni Iraola believes Huijsen’s mentality is his strongest asset. Comparisons to Virgil van Dijk are not to be shirked at, either…
“I think his mentality, his head,” Iraola said earlier this season. “I think he's confident. He is not afraid of marking any forward and I think he's calm on the ball.
“He knows what he's doing, he's under control. Sometimes he will make mistakes like all the others but there is always a reason for the things he does. And for someone that is 19, it's really strange to find this at this level.”
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