Bournemouth’s £50m-rated centre-back Dean Huijsen is wanted by EPL giants and Europe’s elite.
Bournemouth’s breakout star Dean Huijsen is at the heart of an escalating transfer saga, with four Premier League heavyweights – Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle – all circling the 20-year-old defender ahead of what promises to be a ferocious summer window.
Having joined from Juventus last year, Huijsen has quickly become a standout performer on the south coast, impressing with his calmness under pressure and elite ball-playing ability. After racking up 31 appearances in his debut Premier League campaign, the Spanish international now looks set for a major move, with his £50 million release clause piquing interest across Europe.
Sources close to Bournemouth confirm the club is bracing for Huijsen’s departure, with interest not only from England but also from continental giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Among them, Real Madrid are seen as frontrunners should they make their move. It’s understood Huijsen would prioritise a switch to the Santiago Bernabéu if Los Blancos formalise their interest.
However, Champions League football and guaranteed minutes will play a crucial role in his decision. Though Huijsen has elite clubs lining up, his camp is focused on ensuring continued development through regular playing time—something that might be difficult to guarantee at a club already stacked with senior internationals.
Chelsea could hold a subtle advantage due to a strong relationship with Huijsen’s representatives. The Blues are currently in rebuild mode, targeting young, versatile players with high resale potential, and Huijsen ticks every box.
Liverpool’s pursuit, meanwhile, hinges on the future of Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract expires next summer. With no renewal yet agreed, and concerns over depth at centre-back—especially with Joel Matip departing and Joe Gomez’s future uncertain—the Reds may step up their interest should Konaté’s situation remain unresolved.
Newcastle have also entered the race after missing out on Marc Guehi last summer. Their hopes could be boosted by potential Champions League qualification, which would elevate their attractiveness to top-tier talent like Huijsen. With Sven Botman injured for much of the season, Eddie Howe is desperate to strengthen his defensive core.
Arsenal’s interest remains more speculative. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães have formed one of the most stable central defensive partnerships in Europe. While Mikel Arteta is known to admire Huijsen’s style, displacing either Saliba or Gabriel would be a significant move—one that might not appeal to a player seeking consistent starts.
Born in Amsterdam but raised in Spain, Huijsen has been the subject of an international tug-of-war, having represented the Netherlands at youth level before switching allegiance to Spain. He gained Spanish citizenship last year and made his senior debut for the reigning European champions last month.
That international pedigree, combined with his physical presence, tactical intelligence, and vision from deep, makes him one of the most sought-after young defenders in world football.
Bournemouth, for their part, hope to retain him but know their position is vulnerable. Clubs across the continent are circling, and once the release clause is triggered, their hands may be tied. For now, they’re hoping elite interest doesn’t turn into firm offers too soon—but with the summer window fast approaching, Huijsen’s next chapter seems inevitable.
