It’s no surprise to see an up-and-coming, elite Spanish talent like Dean Huijsen, 19, linked with Real Madrid. But Huijsen’s profile and past, and Madrid’s impending need for a defensive reset, suggest that this is more than just tabloid speculation.
Huijsen’s profile has skyrocketed this season, starring for Bournemouth in the Premier League, but he was on Madrid’s radar long before that. The centre-back — born in Amsterdam but raised in Málaga who said in an interview this week: “Spain is my home, I feel Spanish” — was courted by Madrid in 2021, before choosing to join Juventus.
He played for Netherlands at youth level, but switched to represent Spain’s under-21s last year, and has just seen drafted into the senior squad for this week’s Nations League games, coincidentally, against Netherlands.
All of that is to say: Madrid have been tracking Huijsen for a long time. He’s one of the best young Spanish centre-backs around, and keeps getting better. And Madrid are aware that their current defensive options won’t last forever.
Antonio Rüdiger is 32. So is David Alaba. Éder Militão is 27. With all three suffering injuries this season — Militão’s long-term — Madrid were fortunate to find that academy product Raúl Asencio, 22, was also ready to step up.
Nonetheless, recruiting a new centre-back is on Madrid’s to-do-list. Huijsen isn’t the only candidate. There have been frequent, ongoing links to a string of top young defenders, like Ajax’s Jorrel Hato and Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba. Arsenal’s William Saliba has been mentioned too, although his price tag would be higher than Madrid would like.
Anyway, all eyes will be on Huijsen is he makes his Spain senior debut this week, another step in his meteoric rise. Spain’s best young players tend to end up at LaLiga giants Madrid or Barcelona. If Huijsen continues to develop at this rate, he’ll be a strong candidate to anchor Madrid’s defence for the next decade.
OTHER RUMORS
– Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is open to a summer move to Manchester City as he is frustrated with his lack of game time at the Bernabéu. (Football Insider)
– Atlético Madrid sporting director has dismissed any reports linking Julián Alvarez with a move to Liverpool out of hand as “incorrect.” (Daily Mirror)
– In addition Gabriel, Arsenal are planning new contract talks with senior stars Bukayo Saka and Willam Saliba, as well as young talents Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. (The Times)
– Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva wants to stay at the club and see out the remainder of his contract, which runs until the end of next season. (Daily Mirror)
– Tottenham Hotspur are one of several Premier League clubs considering a move for Inter Mimai’s 19-year-old midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi. (TEAMtalk)
– West Ham United are scouting England midfielder Angel Gomes, who is set to be available as a free agent this summer when his contract at Lille is due to expire. (Football Insider)
