Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen is reportedly “ready to leave behind” an offer from Chelsea and is considering a move to Arsenal or Liverpool this summer.
Huijsen has emerged as the Premier League’s standout player of the season, joining Bournemouth in an understated £12.8m transfer from Juventus last July.
The impressive defender has attracted interest from both English and European clubs. However, since several clubs are prepared to activate the 20-year-old’s £50m (€58m) release clause, payable to Bournemouth in three instalments, the ultimate decision of where to transfer lies with him.
Real Madrid have been increasingly keen on Huijsen ever since his impressive senior international debut for Spain in March. There is rival interest from Chelsea, who may be ready to move on from the injury-prone Wesley Fofana, as well as Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
In a report that reads like it’s been drip-fed from the Bernabeu communications department, a much-used tactic over the years, MARCA claims that Huijsen “continues to make progress” towards the Bernabeu and his preference for Madrid has been communicated to the club by the player’s father.
The Spanish outlet also aims a clear and pointed dig at Leny Yoro, who was wanted by Madrid in a cut-price deal last summer, or a free transfer in 2025, until Manchester United blew them out of the water with big money offers to both Lille and the player. Madrid still won’t match what Huijsen is being presented with in the Premier League, but MARCA insists he is willing to “give up” those more lucrative offers.
It is a different version of events than what is reported by Sky Sport Germany, who say Real Madrid are “keen” but that Arsenal and Liverpool are currently in the most promising position. Bayern are considered “unlikely” to suddenly jump ahead, as they are required to sell players before they can spend and therefore are said to prefer to target free agent Jonathan Tah.
Previous claims that Chelsea are the front of the queue have been refuted by conflicting reports.
Overall, a decision from Huijsen is “expected soon”.
