Real Madrid identify Premier League teenager as surprise ‘No.1’ transfer target

Carlo Ancelotti has been without a host of centre backs this season and Real Madrid have put a Premier League youngster at the top of their summer transfer wishlist

Real Madrid have made Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen their top transfer target this summer, according to reports, with the Spanish giants desperate to strengthen at centre half. Marca say that Real have looked at a host of players including Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate and Arsenal’s William Saliba.

But both are set to be prohibitively expensive while Huijsen, 19, could represent much better value for money. Real are also looking at Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato, who was an underage international team-mate of Huijsen with the Netherlands before the Cherries star decided to opt to play for Spain.

Both could meet in this week’s two-legged Nations League tie after Huijsen was elevated to the senior Spain squad for the first time.

Arsenal , Chelsea , Liverpool and Manchester United are among the Premier League clubs that are said to be keeping tabs on Huijsen and last month it was reported that he has a release clause of £50m that will be active in the summer window.

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Bournemouth signed Huijsen last summer for £12.5m on a six-year contract with Juve likely regretting their decision. The teenager has played at youth level for both the Netherlands and Spain.

Speaking in December of how impressed he has been with Huijsen since his arrival at Bournemouth, head coach Andoni Iraola said: “I think he has shown from the beginning that he can do this.

“He plays with confidence and even though he is 19-years-old he has played a few games. But now with the injury to Marcos [Senesi], he for sure will have to play more.

“It is not always easy to play as a defender in the Premier League, but I hope the young players can grow together and continue their development. The good thing for them is that they have room to improve.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real may be in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and remain in the hunt for another La Liga title. But their campaign has been disrupted by a heap of defensive injuries with Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Eder Militao all missing significant amounts of action.

They remain linked with a free agent deal for Trent Alexander-Arnold when the England right back leaves Liverpool at the end of June.

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