Chelsea move confirmed? Manager drops ‘big teams’ statement on Huijsen

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola insists that Dean Huijsen is unaffected by the constant speculation surrounding his future.

The 20-year-old centre-back is the Premier League’s most in-demand commodity heading into the summer transfer window after a breakout season with Bournemouth.

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The Cherries have impressed this term, and Huijsen has been an undisputed starter since breaking into the side in late 2024. His assured performances have put him on the radar of the biggest clubs in the league and even Real Madrid.

Los Blancos, however, have yet to make a decision on whether or not to sign a centre-back this summer, so it is thought that Huijsen will remain in England.

Chelsea were recently described as the clear favourites to sign Huijsen, but Liverpool are also interested. Additionally, Fabrizio Romano insists that Arsenal can’t be discounted either, with the Gunners keen to add another defender this summer.

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Iraola on Huijsen

The speculation surrounding Huijsen has reached fever pitch in recent weeks following the revelation that he has a €58 million release clause, which means that clubs can simply sign him without first having to negotiate with Bournemouth.

However, despite the constant rumours and seemingly confirming the interest, Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola insists that Huijsen remains calm, professional and completely unaffected. This, he believes, is due to the youngster’s past experience of playing for ‘big clubs’ like Juventus and Roma.

“From what I see every day, training and playing, and I don’t see [the speculation] affecting him at all,” Iraola said. “I see him in the same mood that he normally is, he is training well. He is playing well also, and I think even being young, it’s not something strange for him.

“He’s coming from big teams, even if [he was] not in the first team [at Juventus], so from teams [where] probably these things are quite natural and I see him quite normal.”

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