Chelsea have stolen a march on their rivals within the race to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a shocking breakthrough season with the south coast club and is already considered one in every of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders.
Bournemouth paid Juventus a modest £12.8million transfer fee for the teenager last summer and look set to quadruple their money given the centre-half has a £50million release clause in his contract.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all expressed an interest in Huijsen nevertheless it is Chelsea, who perhaps surprisingly, lead the race, in accordance with the Independent.
The Blues are prepared to supply the player a seven-year deal to which Huijsen is claimed to be ‘giving serious consideration to’.
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Clearlake’s model has been to sign the most effective young players in world football since they assumed control of the club from Roman Abramovich.
That model has had mixed success thus far but despite teething troubles under their latest manager, Ezno Maresca, they give the impression of being set to attain Champions League qualification and remain on track to win the Conference League.
Real, meanwhile, are said to have dropped out of the running having baulked on the Spain international’s release clause.
Huijsen appeared curious about a move to Spain and said recently: ‘It’s a source of pride to have such a giant team curious about you; it’s special and means you’re doing well.
Huijsen had a likelihood to affix Real Madrid when he moved to Juventus in 2021 but opted for a move to Serie A as a substitute.
‘I feel it was a measured decision,’ he explained. ‘I desired to go to Juventus due to Italy’s repute, where [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Leonardo] Bonucci, [Andrea] Barzagli, and other historic centre-backs were.
‘I desired to learn defensive skills, which you furthermore mght learn in Spain, but you’re employed harder there. I feel it was the fitting decision.
‘You never understand how it will have gone [at Real Madrid], it was a superb option, but at the moment I assumed the most effective thing for me was to learn a bit of bit concerning the defensive side and I feel I’ve learned it.’
Real are as a substitute more likely to keep close tabs on William Saliba’s contract situation at Arsenal.
The 24-year-old is about to enter the ultimate two years of his deal and although he insists he’s comfortable on the club, the lure of Real could prove too enticing.
Speaking ahead of the recent Champions League meeting between the 2 clubs, he said: ‘I’m really comfortable here. I’ve been here for 2 years and a half as well. There’s nothing. I’m comfortable here and I need to proceed here.
‘I need to win big things with Arsenal. For those who leave this club without winning anything, the fans will ignore you. I need to win big things here.’
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