Dean Huijsen. (Image: Richard Crease)
REAL Madrid have made contact with AFC Bournemouth over a potential transfer for Dean Huijsen, the Daily Echo understands.
The young centre back has starred for the Cherries this season, playing every minute since starting against Tottenham Hotspur in December after an injury to Marcos Senesi.
With a reported £50million release clause, a number of clubs have been said to be interested in securing the services of the 20-year-old, who joined the Cherries for a sum of £12.4m in the summer.
But the Daily Echo understands that Madrid were the first to make contact with the Cherries, and the Spanish giants are believed to be happy to pay the release clause fee, reportedly agreeing a deal in principle with Bournemouth.
And they are hopeful of securing a deal quickly, so Huijsen can play for the club in this summer’s Club World Cup, according to Sky Sports.
Sky Sports have previously indicated that Madrid would be Huijsen’s priority, but there are reportedly a lot of clubs in the Premier League and the top leagues in Europe interested in signing the centre back.
As many as five clubs from the English top flight have held talks with his agents, as well as clubs from La Liga and the Bundesliga, according to Sky.
Huijsen has not let the speculation dent his performances, and Andoni Iraola has said that he has not noticed any changes in the way the Spaniard trains or performs day-to-day.