Expert Second Liverpool star to Real Madrid is now a dead certainty'

03/26/2025 03:00 PM

Dean Huijsen will develop into a world-class player over time at Real Madrid if they win the race to sign the Bournemouth centre-back – but Virgil van DIjk could beat him to the Spanish capital.

That's according to former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains well-connected in the game, and exclusively told Football Insider that Madrid are well in the hunt to sign Huijsen.

Huijsen’s form for Andoni Iraola’s resurgent Bournemouth side this season has attracted attention from a number of European clubs, with the recent Spain debutant adapting seamlessly to the Premier League.

But it is the prospect of Van Dijk following Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real that will fill Liverpool fans with dread.

It has emerged that the right-back is on the verge of signing for the Spanish giants and his superstar teammate could follow.

Meanwhile, the Cherries currently sit 10th in the table albeit with just a four-point gap to the Champions League places, and Huijsen is just one of several Bournemouth players touted with a move this coming summer.

Real Madrid weighing up Dean Huijsen with Van Dijk a ‘dead certainty’

It’s no secret that Los Blancos are on the hunt for central defenders this summer, and Madrid see Huijsen – whose Bournemouth contract includes a £50million release clause – as a player within their reach.

However, with experienced centre-backs at even more of a premium, Carlo Ancelotti’s side could raid the Premier League champions-in-waiting, Liverpool, to sign their captain Virgil van Dijk on a free transfer.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, believes Madrid could prioritise Van Dijk’s signing over Huijsen’s.

“I like him, I think he can become a top-class player”, Brown told Football Insider.

“He covers the ground like a gazelle, he’s light on his feet. He’s resilient, he can use the ball well – I think he’s got all the ingredients of being a top-class player.

“Where do [Real Madrid] go and replenish their centre-half positions? One dead certainty is Virgil van Dijk as I’ve said many times. I never see it mentioned, but I would be surprised if that hasn’t happened.”

“[Huijsen] is a young centre-half they could take, and make into the type of player they want, but they’re going to need a centre-half at the start of next season.

“Van Dijk is a ready-made choice, if that was their choice. This lad [Huijsen] is one of those that you’d take, and you’d say; ‘I’m backing him to move up the ladder’.”

Dean Huijsen deal too good to turn down for Real Madrid

Though the signings of Van Dijk and Huijsen would serve two different purposes at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid may be confident that they can potentially get deals for both over the line.

Huijsen’s relatively low release clause will undoubtedly attract almost every side in Europe capable of paying a £50m fee, while Van Dijk’s contract heading for expiry could soon make him a free agent.

With Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba both now 32 and Madrid having struggled at centre-back for some time, Huijsen and Van Dijk could form the keystone of a new-look defence for the coming season.

The post Expert Second Liverpool star to Real Madrid is now a dead certainty' appeared first on Football Insider.