Real Madrid could launch a summer transfer raid on the Premier League to bolster their defensive options.
Carlo Ancelotti’s future in Madrid remains uncertain with fresh links to the Brazil national team job following the midweek UEFA Champions League loss at Arsenal.
Ancelotti is under contract in Madrid until June 2026, but failure to defend his La Liga and UCL titles next month could prove costly, with Xabi Alonso tipped as his replacement.
Changes are also expected on the pitch with Los Blancos closing in on a free transfer swoop for Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, the 26-year-old may not be the only new arrival, amid growing links to highly-rated Bournemouth center-back Dean Huijsen.
Huijsen’s stock has rocketed in recent months, as part of a superb first season with Andoni Iraola’s team, and a senior Spain debut.
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Is Dean Huijsen joining Real Madrid?
Real Madrid are not the only side looking at Huijsen, with Liverpool also big fans of the 19-year-old, as part of their long-term plan to replace Virgil van Dijk.
However, a move to Madrid looks more likely, due to his rumoured desire to return to Spain and the player himself has boldly confirmed he is being encouraged to make the move to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
“A friend called me recently and said… ‘Go to Real Madrid’. I just laughed. What am I going to say?,” as per an interview with El Chiringuito.
?⚪️ Dean Huijsen: “One of my close friends sent me a story about Real Madrid… he told me: go to Madrid!”.
“It’s a big club. Every player wants to play in the biggest possible”, told Chiringuito. pic.twitter.com/vDvRAYr5NF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 10, 2025
“Do I want to play for Real Madrid? I don’t know, we’ll see. Real Madrid is a great team and Sergio Ramos has been my idol since I was little.
“But, I have a contract until 2030 at Bournemouth with an exit clause.”
Dean Huijsen’s Bournemouth contract, transfer value, key stats
Huijsen opted against confirming how much his release clause at the Cherries is with rumours of a price set at around £50m [$65m].
With five years left on his current contract, Bournemouth are under no pressure to sell, and Iraola will demand his full release clause as a minimum requirement.
Huijsen’s lack of experience will be utilised by Real Madrid to potentially bring down that fee despite their confidence in him developing into one of Europe’s leading central defenders in the coming years.
With Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao on the comeback trail from lengthy injury absences, and David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger both over 30, a succession strategy is needed.
Huijsen has started 20 of Bournemouth’s 31 EPL games so far this season with two goals scored.
The teenager only joined Bournemouth from Juventus in July 2024, but his coolness under pressure has stood out despite his tender age, and he is currently third in the EPL rankings for in-play interceptions [45] made by center-backs in behind Van Dijk and Jan Bednarek.
