Real Madrid’s Huijsen plan

Half of Europe wants Dean Huijsen. But one team, Real Madrid, has an advantage over the competition given that the defender is a self-declared Real Madrid fan.

Following his recent Nations League debut, the player stated: “It’s a great honor that a club like Madrid has me in their plans." It’s also reported when the defender declared his interests to play for Spain as opposed to the Netherlands (Huijsen was born in Amsterdam but grew up in Malaga), he admitted to RFEF (Spanish FA) representatives that his biggest dream was to play for Real Madrid and that playing for La Roja brought him closer to his goal.

Huijsen fits the bill of Madrid’s recruitment strategy being a young player (the Bournemouth defender turns 20 next month) with the potential to continue growing and is also now an international player playing in a top European league.

The centre back joined Málaga’s youth set up at the age of 10 and in 2021 secured a move to Juventus. After a brief loan spell at Roma, Bournemouth paid 15 million (euro) for his transfer as part of a six-year deal and the player has been an integral part of the success of the south coast club managed by Andoni Iraola.

Stiff competition

However, Real Madrid face plenty of competition and getting Huijsen out of England won’t be easy. Chelsea and Liverpool, who are preparing for Van Dijk’s departure are reported to be very interested in his services. Both Alaba and Rüdiger, the two Real Madrid center-backs are already well into their thirties and Huijsen’s Bournemouth teammate Kluivert has already admitted: “I don’t think Dean will still be with us next season.”

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