Paris Saint-Germain showed interest in Dean Huijsen last summer as part of their defensive rebuild, but the Spanish center-back ended up signing with AFC Bournemouth instead. If PSG try again, they’ll have to fend off some serious competition.
Even after bringing in Willian Pacho, PSG may still be in the market for another center-back, especially with Milan Skriniar expected to make a permanent exit this summer.
CaughtOffside reports that several top clubs — including Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG — are monitoring the 19-year-old closely.
Huijsen has impressed in the Premier League and is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders. If PSG renew their pursuit, they’ll be facing a crowded field — and likely a hefty price tag.
TEAMtalk reports that Liverpool holds Huijsen in such high regard that they believe he could be Virgil van Dijk’s ideal successor as their future defensive leader. As for the cost, Huijsen has a £50 million release clause in his contract with Bournemouth.
Would moving to Real Madrid be too much for Dean Huijsen?
While several suitors are interested in the young defender, one coach who knows the player well noted that Huijsen isn’t ready for the spotlight that comes with playing for Real Madrid.
Juan Gutierrez, who coached Huijsen during his early years at Malaga after the defender joined the club at age 10, believes the youngster isn’t quite ready to move to Madrid.
While he’s impressed with Huijsen’s rise through the ranks and his move to Juventus, Gutierrez feels the 19-year-old would have a tough time getting minutes at Real Madrid, given both his age and the level of competition in the squad.
“Dean is going to be a leader no matter where he goes, so I hope whoever signs him they play him as a starter, and he’s not a project for the future,” Huijsen’s former coach told The Sun (h/t GOAL). “He is a player for now. There are very few like that at his age, which is why I don’t know to what extent it would be a good option to sign for Real.
“No one can guarantee you’ll play because of your pretty face, but if he leaves Bournemouth, it shouldn’t be to sit on the bench. At Madrid, Eder Militao is 27 and Antonio [Rudiger]. Those two are untouchable, and a recovered David Alaba would ...
