Real Madrid is said to be the favorite to sign Bournemouth center-back Dean Huijsen this summer, despite interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool.
Huijsen, who was signed by Bournemouth from Juventus last summer, has a $66 million (£50 million) release clause written into his contract. He has drawn the interest of several Premier League clubs since, having made himself a key player under Andoni Iraola in the Cherries’ unlikely push for a European spot.
Chelsea, Newcastle United and Arsenal are among those to have been linked with a summer transfer move for Huijsen. But Real Madrid, with Xabi Alonso set to be at the helm, has always lurked in the background.
Chelsea, according to The Telegraph, had felt it was leading the race for Huijsen. But the Spanish international’s preferred option has always been a Bernabeu switch, where he could join up with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It is also suggested that Real Madrid would be able to offer a substantially bigger salary than Chelsea, which could play into its hands too. The 20-year-old’s transfer fee would be relatively modest and is fixed, so his next destination will come down to other factors.
Ibrahima Konate will only have one year left on his contract this summer which could increase the need for Liverpool to sign a new defender, even after Virgil van Dijk penned new terms at Anfield.
(Image: Getty Images)
But if Real Madrid was to sign Huijsen, that might mean it is less likely to try and repeat the Alexander-Arnold trick by signing the Frenchman on a free transfer. Ideally, the Reds would be able to tie Konate down.
Liverpool has not just looked at Huijsen from Bournemouth. Left-back Milos Kerkez is also highly-rated and would be valued at something close to the same number that the south coast outfit could get for the Spanish center-back who plays alongside him.
“Kerkez has started every game in the league, while Huijsen has played every minute since he started against Spurs in December following Marcos Senesi’s injury,” Bournemouth reporter Alexander Smith told Liverpool.com last month.
“For two players who are so young, they both show excellent maturity and ability — with time to improve, too.”
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Real Madrid has convinced Alexander-Arnold to make the switch and is already very stacked in midfield and attack. If Alonso is to be provided with more signings, they are likely to be further back in terms of position.
Current center-back Antonio Rudiger is now 32. Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni started for Real Madrid in its 4-3 Clasico defeat against Barcelona at the weekend, so there would definitely be space on its roster for a talented up-and-coming star like Huijsen.
Liverpool.com says: Huijsen looks like a massive talent. If Liverpool could win the race, it would be snapping up someone who could play at the back for the next decade and one day take over from Van Dijk. Huijsen really does look that good.
