Madrid have identified a number of players looking to strengthen their defense, including a rising star at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Real Madrid are working to rebuild their defence, weakened by serious injuries to David Alaba, Dano Carvajal and Eder Militão, the departure of Nacho, the inconsistent presence of Jesús Vallejo and a hesitation to fully commit to the youngster Raúl Asencio. Two top options for the full-back positions (Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies) and a select list of centre-backs are being considered. Among them, Dean Huijsen, who plays for Bournemouth in the Premier League, stands out.
Why Dean Huijsen already rejected Real Madrid
The towering 1.80 meter defender, who has dual Spanish-Dutch nationality, has been on Los Blancos' radar for years. After coming through Málaga's youth academy, he attracted the attention of scouts from an early age.
At the age of 16, after receiving offers from giants such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Huijsen had to choose between the two most persistent suitors: Madrid and Juventus. He chose Italy, to learn more about tactics and defensive concepts, influenced by Juve's personal development project in the medium and long term.
Huijsen's progress has exceeded expectations, putting his scouting report back on the list of those leading the charge when it comes to player recruitment in the Spanish capital. His performances in the Premier League for Bournemouth, where he moved from Juventus for €15 million plus €3 million in variables, have reignited Real Madrid's interest.
The 19-year-old, who was loaned to Roma for the second half of the 2023/24 season at the request of José Mourinho, is also part of the Spanish U-21 team and is expected to be part of the squad soon.
The teenager is represented by his father, Donny Huijsen, a former striker who played professionally in the Netherlands. Huijsen Sr, who had initially hoped that his son would follow in his footsteps as a striker, has rejected the advances of numerous agents and decided to manage the youngster's career for the time being, with occasional help from advisor Alex Santisteban and a trusted lawyer for legal matters. .
Huijsen's career so far: from Italy to the Premier League
Huijsen Jr., who considers himself a native of Malaga and a fan of the city's football club, made his debut in the Juventus first team at the age of 18. He is a two-footed defender who has excellent ball distribution, aerial skills and a strong personality.
He was selected eighteen times for the Dutch youth teams and has since played six times for the Spanish U-21 team.
Huijsen's market value is rising (currently valued at €18 million on Transfermarkt) and Bournemouth are unlikely to sell him cheaply. Real Madrid are seriously considering pursuing the defender, who could help solidify their backline for several years to come and potentially kick-start the long-awaited 'Spanishization' of the squad.
The role is crucial
However, before any move is made, doubts remain on both sides. Real Madrid, more cautious than Barcelona when it comes to giving a chance to young talents, is not yet entirely convinced that the promising defender can be a starter in the short term.
Moreover, Huijsen would not accept a role in which he is seen as a backup, which could hinder his rapid development as a top footballer.
After an adjustment period, Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola starts to fully trust him in the Premier League and Huijsen responds perfectly (with four starts in a row, in which he even scored two goals).
Clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United are beginning to inquire about his contractual situation, although no formal offers have been made yet. Real Madrid's top executives are debating whether this is the right time to make a move, knowing that such an operation would be much more complex in the future.
Coaches like Max Allegri and Mourinho, who have worked with Huijsen, predict a bright future. The Portuguese, who was particularly keen on Juventus loaning him to Roma, went even further in his prediction: “He is one of the most talented central defenders in Europe. One day he will become a top player. I have no doubt that he will be one of the best defenders in the world,” said the current Fenerbahçe manager.
Real Madrid wants to prevent a repeat of Lenny Yoro
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, CEO José Ángel Sánchez and chief scout Juni Calafat are determined to avoid a repeat of the Lenny Yoro situation.
Yoro had been identified as a prime target and had been in negotiations with the LaLiga giants, but ultimately moved to Old Trafford due to Manchester United's financial power, which saw them pay 63 million euros to Lille (more than double what Madrid did) . offered) plus a salary of €9 million ($9.37 million) for the French defender.
What other centre-backs are on Real Madrid's radar?
Real Madrid's list of potential central defenders includes names like Aymeric Laporte (ruled out due to age and price), William Saliba (unavailable due to his high cost), Palmeiras' gem Vitor Reis (one of Juni Calafat's favourites) and Huijsen. out. The latter is a promising talent whose immediate future points to a major European club. Real Madrid are watching closely and are ready to make a move.
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