Liverpool are interested in a move for Bournemouth’s star defender Dean Huijsen, talkSPORT understands.
The 19-year-old centre back has shone on the south coast this season and just had his first Spain call-up after spending his youth career with the Netherlands.
Linked to numerous European giants, the former Juventus and Roma defender has been put at the top of Real Madrid’s summer wishlist, according to MARCA.
Huijsen responded to the news by saying he was ‘flattered’ by links to Los Blancos who are understood to also have interest in Arsenal’s William Saliba.
However, Liverpool may well need Huijsen more and have more game time to offer, given that captain and key defender Virgil van Dijk is approaching free agent status with a new contract nowhere to be seen.
Amsterdam-born Huijsen has a £50million release clause, and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes previously worked with the Cherries.
Bournemouth left back Milos Kerkez is also on the Reds’ radar, having shone this season while Andy Robertson has struggled on Merseyside.
Hughes will have signed the Hungarian left back at Bournemouth, but not the Spanish defender.
The Cherries are well on course for their best ever season, and look set for a debut European campaign in 2025/26, with a Champions League berth still on the cards.
Andoni Iraola’s side have conceded the fifth fewest goals in the league, with their defence standing out.
Discussing Huijsen, the Basque coach said: “I didn’t know about his mentality because when you sign someone that is 19, you see, okay, it looks like he’s going to be a good player.
“But you are not sure if he’s ready to perform straight away against the best opposition. That is what he’s facing in the Premier League.
“And he showed since the first day, I think he started playing the season against Forest. He played really well.
On his best attributes, Iraola said: “I think his mentality, his head.
“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.”
More to follow.
