Real Madrid close in on Dean Huijsen as Spanish giants agree £50m deal for Bournemouth’s star defender – in transfer blow to Chelsea and Arsenal

Real Madrid are set to sign Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen after agreeing to pay the defender’s £50m release clause.

The Spain international’s representatives flew to Madrid on Thursday to discuss terms over what is understood to be a five year contract.

As Mail Sport reported, Madrid emerged as favourites to sign the 20-year old at the beginning of this week as they have been the Spain international’s preferred choice. They then discussed payment of the release clause with Bournemouth on Wednesday with the fee to be paid in three instalments. 

His former clubs, Juventus and Malaga will receive a slice of the fee, taking 10percent and five percent respectively.

Real wanted to complete the signing before next month’s inaugural Club World Cup in USA.

Huijsen, who joined from Juventus last summer for just £12.6m, had as many as seven offers on the table, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle all keen to take him after a stand-out season.

The 20-year-old is one of Europe’s most sought-after players and Chelsea also want him 

Huijsen could be one of Xabi Alonso’s first signings as Madrid boss when he takes charge

Bournemouth are on the lookout for a replacement and have discussed a potential move for Nathan Zeze, 19, from Nantes.

Xabi Alonso, who is set to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager, has been instrumental in the decision to sign Huijsen and prioritised signing a young centre-back.

Madrid have also spoken to Liverpool about bringing forward the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold but have yet to offer a fee.

Liverpool are progressing in talks for Bayer Leverkusen right wing-back Jeremie Frimpong. They are willing to activate his £29.5m clause and are discussing personal 

Born in the Netherlands, Huijsen represented them at youth level, before switching to the European champions last year. 

After joining Bournemouth from Juventus for £12m last summer, Huijsen was initially playing a back-up role to Marcos Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi before getting his chance in the starting line-up and grabbing it with both hands.

He has played 34 times in all competitions this season and the Cherries appear resigned to losing their star defender this summer.

Madrid, meanwhile, are looking for reinforcements this summer after a disappointing season where they look set to lose the LaLiga title to Barcelona.

Born in the Netherlands, he represented them at youth level before switching to Spain last year

Real are looking for reinforcements after a disappointing final season under Carlo Ancelotti 

Ancelotti’s men were also defeated in the Copa del Rey final by their Clasico rivals and were dumped out of the Champions League against Arsenal in the quarter-finals. 

His old youth coach Juan Gutierrez, who was at Malaga when Huijsen joined aged 10, warned him against a move to Los Blancos where his game time would dramatically decrease.

‘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,’ Gutierrez said.

‘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.’