Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle are all genuinely interested in signing Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen this summer.
This summer, the 20-year-old central defender is expected to be one of the most in-demand players in Europe, with several clubs interested in his services.
Multiple BBC Sport sources confirm initial reports of a £50m release clause for Huijsen.
Bournemouth acknowledges interest from four top Premier League teams and accepts their young player’s likely departure.
However, the success of English clubs might depend on whether elite European clubs pursue the Spanish defender.
In recent weeks, reports have linked the center-back with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
According to sources, Huijsen would favor a transfer to Real Madrid should they increase their pursuit.
Huijsen’s decision will hinge on consistent playing time for development, but Champions League football will also be a significant factor.
Chelsea’s positive relationship with Huijsen’s agents might be key to the deal.
Liverpool’s pursuit of the former Juventus defender could hinge on what happens with Ibrahima Konate.
Konate, a regular for Arne Slot’s team this season, is out of contract at the end of next season. If an agreement over an extension cannot be reached by the start of that campaign, Liverpool may have to consider alternatives.
Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah’s futures at Anfield could also impact Liverpool’s level of interest in Huijsen.
Newcastle will prioritize a new central defender this summer. Last year, they missed out on their number one target, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. However, they could attract Huijsen, particularly if they qualify for the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta relies heavily on Saliba and Gabriel in Arsenal’s central defense; disrupting this strong pairing to sign Huijsen would be difficult.
Over the past year, Huijsen, a central defender who transferred from Juventus to Bournemouth last summer, has become one of the best ball-playing defenders in Europe, attracting interest from both the Netherlands and Spain.
A former Netherlands youth player from Amsterdam, he now plays for Spain after obtaining citizenship and moving to Marbella.
