The young center-back Dean Huijsen has become one of the great revelations of European soccer this season. At 19 years old, his maturity, defensive quality, and ability to play the ball out have attracted the interest of several elite clubs, including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
During his recent draft with the Spanish National Team, Huijsen has shared the locker room with Lamine Yamal and Pedri, two of Barça's great talents. In this relaxed environment, conversations about his future have not been long in coming.
Huijsen Has Already Made a Decision
Although Barça and Madrid have shown great interest in signing him, the center-back seems to have made a decision about his future. In recent weeks, he has made it clear that his priority is to play at Santiago Bernabéu.
Sources close to the player assure that he feels a strong affinity with Real Madrid, something that could be key in the operation. The structure of the white team and its ability to project young talents have convinced him that his future is there.
Real Madrid is in search of a new center-back for the next season. Although they have Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, and David Alaba, the white board sees Huijsen as a strategic long-term signing.
The defender has proven to be a player with good ball distribution, great physical presence, and excellent game reading. Qualities that perfectly fit the profile sought by Carlo Ancelotti's team.
Bournemouth, Huijsen's current club, has set a price of 50 million euros. An amount that Real Madrid is willing to pay if they finally decide to go for his signing.
Barça Tries to React, But It's Complicated
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona, with Deco at the helm of the sports management, continues trying to convince Huijsen. The blaugrana proposal includes a more important role from day one, as the club sees in him a potential partner for Pau Cubarsí to form a future defensive duo.
However, Barça faces a significant problem: its economic situation. It can't match Madrid's offer or guarantee an immediate signing without first selling players.
Despite this, the blaugrana club doesn't lose hope and is preparing a final attempt to convince the footballer.
Although in soccer everything can change until the last moment, the feeling inside the Spanish National Team's locker room is that Huijsen has already chosen his destination. The opportunity to play in Madrid and be part of a team that competes for all titles seems too tempting.
Now, it only remains for the clubs to make their move and for one of the great operations of the next transfer market to be finalized.