Real Madrid have reportedly accelerated their pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.
Carlo Ancelotti is set to step out of Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, with the veteran Italian already being named the new Brazil national team coach. Xabi Alonso, currently the manager at Bayer Leverkusen, is poised to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid. It will be the start of a new era at the Spanish club, and Xabi Alonso is seemingly planning to start the squad rebuild with defensive reinforcements.
According to Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Real Madrid are considering paying Dean Huijsen’s £50m release clause at Bournemouth. Other clubs, namely, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are all interested in the young centre-back, but he would find it difficult to turn down a move to Real Madrid if a deal between them and Bournemouth can be agreed upon.
Huijsen, 20, has been a revelation in the Premier League since joining Bournemouth from Juventus last summer. The Spanish international has made 34 appearances across all competitions for the Cherries in his debut season, scoring three goals and recording one assist. He adapted to the rigours of the Premier League like a duck to water, impressing the onlookers with his technical skills, physicality, speed and reading of the game.
Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid—Can he shore up the defence?
All signs are pointing towards Xabi Alonso becoming the next Real Madrid boss. The Spaniard has done a remarkable job at Bayer Leverkusen, transforming the club and guiding them to their first-ever Bundesliga title last season. They also won the German Cup under his tutelage.
Alonso plays a 3-4-2-1/3-5-2 system, and for this system to potentially work at Real Madrid, he will need players with specific profiles. Addressing the team’s defensive loopholes stands as an absolute must, with a glut of injury problems, suspensions and inconsistent form ruining Los Blancos’ season.
With Eder Militao suffering an ACL rupture twice, David Alaba past his prime, Antonio Rudiger blowing hot and cold, and academy starlet Raul Asencio learning his trade, Real need a new central defender at any cost. Dean Huijsen, in that regard, fits the bill perfectly.
A ball-playing, strong and athletic centre-back, Huijsen would certainly improve Real’s defensive unit. He could occupy any position in a back three under Alonso, bringing in much-needed pace and aerial ability to the side. The Amsterdam-born talent, whose footballing idol is former Real superstar Sergio Ramos, is comfortable with both feet and can carry the ball out from the back without much fuss.
The 20-year-old is also an asset during set-pieces at both ends, as evidenced by his three goals for Bournemouth. Thus, paying £50m for a young and emerging talent like Huijsen with bags of potential would be a bargain in today’s day and market. And perhaps a move to the Spanish capital in the summer could allow Huijsen to help cement himself as a mainstay for La Roja heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup next season.