Yahoo Sports Bournemouth teenager emerges as top choice for Real Madrid’s defensive overhaul
Real Madrid are eyeing 19-year-old Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen as a potential addition to their defensive lineup, according to a recent report from AS.
The Spanish club is looking to strengthen their defence, which has been significantly impacted by a series of injuries.
While there are already plans in place to address the full-back positions, the club is also focusing on bolstering their central defensive options, with Huijsen emerging as one of the top priorities.
Huijsen has been on Real Madrid’s radar for several years. At just 16 years old, when he left his previous club on the Costa del Sol, he was pursued by several major European clubs, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Ultimately, the young defender chose to move to Juventus, where he was drawn to the tactical and defensive expertise.
His decision was also influenced by the personal development plan presented to him in Turin, which he felt would support his growth in the long term.
Real Madrid have not lost sight
Since then, Huijsen’s development has exceeded expectations, and his progress has caught the attention of Real Madrid once again.
His performances at Bournemouth have reignited the club’s interest in the young defender, prompting a shift in his monitoring from the recruitment department at Valdebebas to the club’s Sports Management.
Other top clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, are also beginning to show interest, though no formal offers have been made.
Debate within the team
At Real Madrid, there is ongoing internal discussion about whether now is the right time to make a move for Huijsen, with concerns about the complexity of the deal in the future if they wait too long.
As Real Madrid continue to consider potential signings to strengthen their centre-back position, other names have emerged, such as Aymeric Laporte and William Saliba, but both have been ruled out due to high costs or age.
The highly-rated Vitor Reis from Palmeiras is another option, but Huijsen seems to be the most viable and promising target at this stage. Real Madrid remain alert, keen to act swiftly to secure his signature before the competition intensifies.
