Liverpool has been encouraged to invest in Dean Huijsen, who has been likened to a Rolls Royce.
The Bournemouth defender has emerged as one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season, attracting interest from several clubs ahead of the summer transfer window. The Reds are reportedly among the teams pursuing the 19-year-old, with Virgil van Dijk’s future at Anfield still uncertain. It’s understood that Huijsen has a £50 million ($64.6 million) release clause in his contract with the Cherries.
Former Manchester United and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster believes the center-back would be a bargain for Liverpool at that price and is capable of stepping into Van Dijk’s shoes. The former England international also suggested that Huijsen’s previous club Juventus might regret letting him join Bournemouth last summer.
“Huijsen is a Rolls Royce,” Foster said on his ‘Fozcast’ podcast. “Juve will be watching him going, ‘Oh no, what have we done? We’ve sold this kid for £15 million ($19.4 million), and now he’s got a £50 million buyout clause in his contract.’
“Realistically, with how much he’s improved, he’s probably worth more than that. There are going to be clubs sniffing around like flies over the proverbial in the summer. It’s a massive ask to try and fill the shoes of Virgil van Dijk, but it’s a good start. The big ask of a young player, especially a centre-back coming into the Premier League, is whether they can hit the ground running and adapt.”
He added: “It’s a massive step up even from Juventus. This is all factored into the fact that teams want to buy him now. They see him on the pitch and it’s the eye test where you watch somebody being calm and composed and looking like they belong.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool is in the mix for Huijsen, but they’re not alone; according to the Telegraph, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich are also keen on the young talent. It’s reported that Bournemouth secured his signature last year with the understanding he’d get Premier League exposure, and they’re braced for his departure.
Huijsen’s current club has even tipped him as a future top three world center-back. Liverpool’s pursuit is challenged by Chelsea, with SPORT revealing that Enzo Maresca has reached out to Huijsen personally about a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Huijsen was recently praised by Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola after making his international debut for the Spain last month, facing off against Van Dijk in the Nations League. “Obviously, he has improved because he now has more experience,” he said. “He has faced very difficult forwards, but we received already a very good player when he came in the summer.”
