Multiple reports suggest that Real Madrid is on the verge of completing the signing of 20-year-old central defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. The Spanish giants are reportedly in the final stages of negotiations with the player`s representatives after agreeing to trigger his substantial $50 million release clause.
Huijsen is recognized as a promising young talent in European football. He only joined Bournemouth from Juventus last season in a deal worth approximately $15 million. Just one year later, he is set for a significant step up by moving to Real Madrid. The Spanish club is expected to see considerable changes this summer. Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave Real Madrid on May 26 to take on the role of head coach for the Brazilian national team. Club president Florentino Perez is anticipated to announce the appointment of Real Madrid legend Xabi Alonso as the new manager.
With Xabi Alonso poised to take charge ahead of this summer`s FIFA Club World Cup, a busy transfer window is anticipated at Madrid in the coming weeks. Huijsen`s potential arrival could be the first of several moves, potentially followed by Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is reportedly set to join the Spanish side as a free agent.
Several clubs were reportedly interested in signing Huijsen this summer, which is understandable given his performance. He showcased his abilities in his debut Premier League season, even scoring three goals. Teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal were linked with a move before Real Madrid entered the race for the former Juventus player.
Here`s a look at what you should know about Dean Huijsen:
Early Career
Born in Amsterdam in 2005, Huijsen acquired Spanish citizenship in 2024 and chose to represent the Spanish national team, making his senior international debut in March 2025. He moved to Marbella, Spain, with his family at the age of five, where he began playing football as a child before joining the Malaga academy.
In 2021, at 16, he moved to Turin after Juventus signed him for their U-17 team. However, he quickly progressed to play with Juventus`s second team, which competes in Italy`s third division. During the 2023-24 season, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri occasionally included him in the first team squad, and he made his Serie A debut against AC Milan in October 2023.
That turned out to be his only senior appearance for the Juventus first team. In January 2024, he moved on loan to AS Roma at the suggestion of then-manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho publicly praised Huijsen before his arrival, stating, `Dean Huijsen has 10 minutes of football in the Serie A, but he`s one of the biggest prospects in football. He will be a very great player in the future.`
Mourinho`s prediction proved accurate. Although Mourinho was sacked shortly after, his successor Daniele De Rossi trusted Huijsen`s talent. By the end of the season, Huijsen had played 14 games for Roma, scoring two goals. He returned to Juventus in the summer of 2024, but the Italian club reached an agreement with Bournemouth in July, leading to his transfer to the Premier League for the 2024-25 season.
Huijsen’s Strengths
Huijsen is considered a modern, aggressive defender who frequently steps out of the defensive line to intercept passes or engage attackers before they receive the ball. Standing at 6-foot-6, he effectively uses his height in aerial duels, boasting a 59.3% success rate in the Premier League last season, ranking him among the top defenders in this area. His modern profile also allows him to occasionally follow strikers into midfield, fitting well with an aggressive, high-pressing style of play, similar to what Xabi Alonso implemented at Bayer Leverkusen.
He is also comfortable playing with both feet and has the highest pass completion rate among Bournemouth players with more than two Premier League starts (84.3%). This proficiency on the ball makes him a valuable asset in build-up play, capable of bypassing the midfield with his passing, which can significantly benefit his team`s attacking phases.
Huijsen’s Weaknesses
Given his young age, there are areas where Huijsen can still develop. One notable aspect is discipline; his aggressive style led to six yellow cards in the Premier League last season, five for tactical fouls. He also ranked third in the league for total fouls committed (90). While he adapted reasonably well to the physicality of the English league, there is room for improvement in terms of speed, which could potentially expose him if the team employs a high defensive line, a tactic Xabi Alonso is likely to use.
Despite these points for development, Huijsen is already a mature player for his age and professional experience. There`s a strong possibility he could have a very successful career at Real Madrid, particularly under Xabi Alonso, who has a track record of developing young players during his time in Germany.
How He Fits at Real Madrid
Real Madrid is expected to reinforce its defensive options this summer, specifically at center-back, where the club may look to sign at least two players. This need stems from the injury issues faced by Carlo Ancelotti`s squad during the recent season, with Eder Militao missing 49 games and Dani Carvajal sidelined for 53.
These defensive shortages forced Ancelotti to deploy midfielders like Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga in unfamiliar defensive roles. The team also had to rely heavily on Antonio Rudiger, often paired with academy player Raul Asencio, who made his first-team debut this season. Jesus Vallejo served as the backup option but played only two La Liga matches, totaling just 36 minutes.
For these reasons, Huijsen is anticipated to become an important player under Xabi Alonso. However, his exact playing time will likely depend on how many other defenders Real Madrid signs during the summer transfer window.
Adrian Whitmore