Liverpool 'make contact' to sign £50m Chelsea and Real Madrid transfer target

03/24/2025 12:47 PM

Liverpool have reportedly made contact with Bournemouth regarding the release clause of talented young defender Dean Huijsen.

Huijsen joined Bournemouth last summer from Juventus for a cut-price fee of around £12.8million but has already established himself as a first-team regular in Andoni Iraola’s side.

The 19-year-old has made 23 appearances in the top flight this season and took the next step in his career last week as he made his first two appearances for Spain’s senior team in the latest international break.

Such performances have seen the young Spaniard attract plenty of interest from a host of top European clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

And Bournemouth’s hopes of holding onto their prized defensive asset look slim given Huijsen has a £50million release clause which will activate in his contract this summer.

Discussing the clubs interested in Huijsen’s signature on his YouTube channel, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Chelsea have held a long-standing interest in the defender.

‘Chelsea are there, they have an excellent relationship with people close to the player and have been tracking the player for a long time,’ he said.

However, it appears that Liverpool may have stolen an early march on their Premier League rivals, with Romano reporting that the Merseyside clubs have already made contact with Bournemouth to understand the specifics of Huijsen’s relause clause.

‘Huijsen is someone they appreciate and have already made some contacts on how the release clause works,’ he added.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been a reliable pairing at the back for Slot this season, but both have question marks over their long-term future at Liverpool.

Captain Van Dijk is still yet to agree terms on an extension to his contract which runs out at the end of this season, while Konate has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain Real Madrid in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have also sent scouts to England to watch the young centre-back as Real Madrid also mull over a move for the Spaniard.

‘They have to decide internally what they want to invest in a centre-back this summer, but appreciate the talent and see him with very big potential, Romano said of Real’s interest in Huijsen.

‘He is a very serious guy, a professional player and he is Spanish which could make Real Madrid excited. But no decision yet on what they want to do.’

Asked about the growing speculation surrounding his future, Huijsen took it in his stride, telling Spanish publication Relevo: 'It's a source of pride to have such a big team interested in you; it's special and means you're doing well.’

But Bournemouth teammate Justin Kluivert was more blunt when asked about Huijsen’s future after the Netherlands’ Nations League clash with Spain.

‘Huijsen will not be with us next season,’ he told Marca in the post-match mixed zone.

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