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Published December 27, 2024 1:11pm Updated December 27, 2024 1:11pm
Arsenal and Manchester United have joined Real Madrid in the race to sign Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen.
Huijsen, 19, has quickly established himself as a regular at the heart of Andoni Iraola’s defence following a £13million move from Juventus to Dean Court in the summer transfer window.
While catching the eye with a string of assured defensive displays, the imposing 6 ft 5 in centre-half has also provided a strong aerial presence at the other end of the pitch, heading home important goals against both Tottenham and Manchester United in recent weeks
Huijsen’s first-half winner in Bournemouth’s 1-0 victory over Spurs saw the teenager became the club’s youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.
According to Spanish publication AS, Huijsen’s performances have not gone unnoticed amongst Europe’s elite, with Madrid keeping close tabs on the Spain Under-21 international this season.
It’s claimed Huijsen has been ‘in the Madrid spotlight for years’ having turned Los Blancos down in favour of a move to Juve – while aged just 16 -back in 2021.
The report adds that Arsenal and Manchester United are providing competition for Huijsen and have started to ‘position themselves with enquiries about his contract situation’. However, neither club have begun concrete talks at this stage.
Madrid are keen to avoid a repeat of their protracted transfer saga involving Leny Yoro, who looked destined for a move to the Bernabeu, only for United to blow them out of the water with a £52m offer for the Frenchman.
Injuries to David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, plus the recent departure of Nacho, have left Carlo Ancelotti with limited options at the back and Madrid are actively looking to bring in defensive reinforcements.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies have emerged as Madrid’s primary full-back targets, while William Saliba, Vitor Reis and Aymeric Laporte are all on the club’s radar – as well as Huijsen – as possible additions at centre-back.
Huijsen’s current contract with Bournemouth runs through to the summer of 2030 and the Cherries are in no hurry to cash in on the highly rated youngster.
After his side’s recent defeat of Tottenham, Bournemouth head coach Iraola said it was ‘really amazing’ what Huijsen was achieving at such a young age.
‘For someone who is 19, what Huijsen is doing in the Premier League is really amazing,’ he told BBC Sport.
‘He showed [against Spurs] what we know he has: good level on the ball, strong personality and I think he was also good defensively.
‘Obviously if you add the extra element of the goal then it is also very nice.’
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