Chelsea blow Liverpool out of the water with Dean Huijsen move

Chelsea, not Liverpool, are Real Madrid‘s biggest rival for the signature of Dean Huijsen, according to Spanish media.

The Bournemouth centre-back is enjoying a breakout season in the Premier League this term. Signed from Juventus last summer off the back of an impressive loan spell at Roma, Huijsen has been a revelation for the Cherries in recent months.

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Still only 19, the Dutch-born defender made his senior debut for Spain – against the Netherlands, of course – this week and transfer speculation is ramping up. Huijsen is expected to leave Bournemouth after just one season.

Seemingly all of Europe’s elite clubs have been keenly watching his development in recent months. Bayern, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid have been persistently linked with the Spaniard, who has admitted that it is an ‘honour’ to be linked to sides like Real.

“It’s an honour to have such a big team interested in you; it’s something special and it means you’re doing well,” Huijsen said shortly after arriving for international duty earlier this week.

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Chelsea to sign Huijsen?

According to MARCA, two clear favourites to sign Huijsen are already crystallising. The Spanish outlet predicts that the battle for his signature will ultimately come down to Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Liverpool, despite their well-documented desire to sign a young centre-back this summer, are seemingly not deemed a credible challenger for Los Blancos.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have been left firmly impressed by the teenager during their recent scouting trips and are ready to get serious about their interest.

Huijsen is understood to have a release clause worth up to €60 million in his Bournemouth contract, so signing him will be anything but cheap this summer.

Chelsea are trying to get their business done early due to the Club World Cup and have already signed youngsters Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo to the tune of €74m. It may require some sales before they will be able to land Huijsen.