Dean Huijsen
Dean Huijsen is being chased by a number of clubs this summer and has a £50m release clause
Chelsea and Liverpool are both leading the race to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, with any interested club needing to pay his £50million release clause. Huijsen has been one of the standout players of the Premier League season, with the 19-year-old putting in some colossal displays in defence for the Cherries.
The two Premier League sides both need new centre-backs as Enzo Maresca seeks cover for the injured Wesley Fofana while Arne Slot knows he will have to replace Virgil van Dijk sooner rather than later.
According to the Independent, Bournemouth are braced for interest in Huijsen this summer and Real Madrid are among the teams keeping an eye on the teenager.
It would be difficult for Huijsen to say no to Madrid should they come calling, particularly as he is a Spain international, but he may also want to continue progressing in the Premier League. The report says the Blues and the Reds have both been working on deals to sign Huijsen - with the former making more progress on signing him.
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However, it stresses that his future is still "very much up in the air" as he waits to weigh up all the interest and potential offers before making a decision on the next step.
It goes on to say that Liverpool's situation may change if Virgil van Dijk decides to sign a contract extension, which could mean the club could put off their attempts to sign a back-up defender.
Real Madrid are looking to the future in defence, with David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger both turning 32, so they will be looking to sign someone they can depend on for years to come.
The report says the Spanish giants feel they would have "considerable sway" if they enter the race to sign Huijsen, although they are yet to formally start work on a deal.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca are said to be leading the chase for Huijsen
Huijsen would have little difficulty transitioning to life in the Spanish capital, having grown up in Marbella after moving there with his family as a 5-year-old.
He has made his first start for Spain in the international break in a 3-3 draw against the Netherlands, in which he grabbed an assist, while he played 49 minutes in the previous tie against the Dutch.
His Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said his call-up to the Spain squad and solid performances were not a surprise. He said: “Because now he has made the national team debut and has played well, people are talking more about him. I think he played at the same level he was playing with us.
"Obviously, he has improved because he now has more experience. He has faced very difficult forwards, but we received already a very good player when he came in the summer."
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