Chelsea join race to sign AFC Bournemouth star after release clause bombshell
Yesterday at 09:54 AM
Chelsea have reportedly joined Arsenal and Manchester United in the race to sign AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen – after bombshell news that a release clause will activate in his contract this summer.
Huijsen has been one of the Cherries’ best players this season, establishing himself as one of the top young defenders in all of Europe.
The 19-year-old centre-back has helped Bournemouth surge up the Premier League table, transforming them into genuine dark horses for the top four, with Andoni Iraola’s side’s just one point off fourth heading into February.
Since Huijsen started his partnership with Illia Zabarnyi at the heart of Bournemouth’s defence 11 games ago, the Cherries have conceded the fewest number of goals in the entire top-flight.
Huijsen’s remarkable performances on the south coast have not gone unnoticed, though, with transfer reports emerging from Spain last month.
It is claimed that Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on Huijsen ahead of a possible move, with Arsenal and United launching enquiries.
Football transfers expert Fabrizio Romano now reports that Chelsea ‘really appreciate’ Huijsen and he has moved ‘high’ up on their defensive wishlist.
Bayern Munich are also thought to have joined the race to sign Huijsen, having made contact with the Cherries about his availability too.
A January sale for Huijsen seems out of the question and highly improbable, unless Bournemouth were to receive an incredible late offer.
The Cherries have no desire to sell Huijsen mid-season, given they are in a push to qualify for European football and in the middle of an injury crisis.
An exit at the end of the season is more likely, and according to Romano, ‘Huijsen has release clause into his contract valid from this summer’.
It remains to be seen exactly how much that release clause would be but Fichajes reports that Bournemouth ‘have set their price at a figure above 60 million euros (£50m)’.
Huijsen only joined Bournemouth in the last summer transfer window from Juventus in a €18.2m deal. He has played 19 games so far, scoring in wins over Tottenham and United this season, and is under contract until 2030.
