Chelsea are leading the way in the race to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth this summer, with Real Madrid now bowing out of the race.
Liverpool are not the only big club in the market for a new top centre back prospect.
Even though sporting director Richard Hughes was able to negotiate a new contract to keep Virgil van Dijk at Anfield on a two-year contract worth £385,000 per week, they are looking to add another central defender to their ranks.
It has a lot to do with Arne Slot not being able to rely on Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah for different reasons.
For Gomez, it’s a case of simply not being able to remain fit. It’s by no means his own fault but he seems set for the same fate Daniel Sturridge. Since the 2015/16 season, the Englishman has missed a total of 275 games through injury across a span of 1,002 days, according to data from Transfermarkt.
In Quansah’s case, he just hasn’t shown that he’s capable of being the elite defender that Liverpool need. His defending comes across as either shy and hesitant unlike, for instance, the decisive and aggressive way Ibrahima Konate commands his area of the pitch.
And so it is that Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back and Dean Huijsen is the perfect target to plan for a future where Konate and van Dijk could both leave the club.
Real Madrid pull out of Dean Huijsen race over concerns Premier League clubs can afford unrealistic wages for a teenager
A report from TEAMtalk claims that Chelsea lead the race to sign Huijsen, whose contract includes a £50m release clause which is valid this summer.
Given his composed and commanding form this season for Bournemouth, he has earned himself a place on most big club’s scouting watchlists.
While Chelsea lead the race, Liverpool are still pushing just as hard.
From Spain, however, Marca report that Real Madrid are bowing out of the race to sign Huijsen even though they too seem him as one of the best centre backs for the future.
Their decision to not compete for his signature comes over a desire to not overcommit on salaries for very young players. This comes after they decided not to sign Leny Yoro when he joined Manchester United, who pay the 19-year-old £115,000 per week. He has spent 155 days on the sidelines this season.
As such, they are stepping back from the Huijsen summer race.
