According to various reports, Real Madrid is close to completing the signing of 20-year-old central defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. The Spanish club is finalizing details with the player`s representatives after agreeing to meet his $50 million release clause.
Huijsen is considered a promising young talent in European football. Just last season, he transferred from Juventus to the Premier League club for approximately $15 million. A year on, he`s poised for a significant move to Real Madrid. The Madrid club is anticipating further major changes this summer. Reports suggest Carlo Ancelotti will depart from May 26 to take over as Brazil`s national team coach, while club president Florentino Perez is expected to name Real Madrid icon Xabi Alonso as the new head coach.
With Xabi Alonso reportedly set to take the helm at Real Madrid before the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, the coming weeks are likely to see considerable transfer activity in Madrid. Huijsen`s potential arrival follows speculation about Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to join the Spanish giants on a free transfer.
Several clubs were reportedly interested in signing Huijsen this summer, which is understandable given his performances. He demonstrated his abilities during his debut Premier League season, even scoring three goals. Clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal were among the potential suitors before Real Madrid entered the fray for the ex-Juventus defender.
Here`s what you need to know about Huijsen:
Early Career
Born in Amsterdam in 2005, Huijsen acquired Spanish citizenship in 2024 and chose to represent Spain internationally, making his senior debut in March 2025. At the age of five, he relocated with his family to Marbella, Spain, where he began playing football before joining the Malaga academy. In 2021, aged 16, he moved to Turin after being signed by Juventus for their U-17 squad. However, he quickly progressed to play for Juventus`s reserve team in the third division. In the 2023-24 season, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri occasionally integrated him into the senior squad, and he made his Serie A debut against AC Milan in October 2023.
This match against AC Milan would be his sole official appearance for the Juventus first team. In January 2024, he was loaned to AS Roma at the recommendation of then-manager Jose Mourinho. Before Huijsen`s arrival, Mourinho publicly praised him, stating, “Dean Huijsen has 10 minutes of football in 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 dismissed shortly after, his successor, Daniele De Rossi, recognized Huijsen`s potential. By the season`s end, he had played 14 games for Roma, scoring two goals. Returning to Juventus in the summer of 2024, the club reached an agreement with Bournemouth in July to transfer the player, who then joined the Premier League for the 2024-25 campaign.
Strengths
Huijsen is seen as a modern, assertive defender. He frequently steps out of the defensive line to intercept passes or challenge attackers before they can control the ball, characteristic of many players in his position. Standing at 6-foot-6, his height is a significant asset, particularly in aerial duels, where he boasted a 59.3% success rate in the Premier League last season, ranking him among the league`s top defenders in this area. His modern profile allows him to sometimes operate beyond a traditional center-back role, even tracking strikers into midfield, which would align well with an aggressive playing style like the one Xabi Alonso employed at Bayer Leverkusen.
Huijsen is also adept with both feet, reflected in his 84.3% pass completion rate, the highest among Bournemouth players with more than two Premier League starts. This proficiency on the ball makes him a valuable asset in build-up play, potentially bypassing the midfield with his distribution.
Weaknesses
Given his youth, there are areas for improvement in his game, notably discipline. His aggressive style led to six yellow cards in the Premier League last season, five of which were for tactical fouls. He also ranked third in the league for total fouls committed (90). While he adapted reasonably well to the physical demands of the English league at Bournemouth, his speed could be improved. This is particularly relevant if playing in a high defensive line, which Xabi Alonso is likely to favor, as it could occasionally leave him exposed.
Despite these points, he is considered quite mature for his age and professional experience. There is a strong possibility he could have a successful career at Real Madrid, especially under a coach like Xabi Alonso, who has a track record of developing young talent.
Potential Fit at Real Madrid
Real Madrid are anticipated to strengthen their defense this summer, especially at center-back, where they are expected to sign at least two players. This addresses the significant defensive issues faced under Carlo Ancelotti this past season, where injuries heavily impacted the squad. Eder Militao missed 49 games and Dani Carvajal 53, highlighting the strain on the backline.
Ancelotti was forced to deploy midfielders like Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga in defensive roles due to lack of available defenders. He also relied on Raul Asencio, who only debuted this season, partnering Antonio Rudiger frequently in 2024-25, while backup Jesus Vallejo saw minimal action, playing only 36 minutes across two La Liga games.
Given this context, Huijsen is likely to be a significant player under Xabi Alonso. However, his exact playing time will likely depend on any further defensive signings Real Madrid makes this summer.
