Arsenal are among the clubs to have met with Dean Huijsen’s representatives ahead of a summer transfer, according to David Ornstein, but many others are in the mix too.
David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Dean Huijsen will leave Bournemouth this summer, and Arsenal are one of many clubs with an interest in him.
Ornstein writes that Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool appear to be the leading contenders for Huijsen’s signature right now, though Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen.
The journalist adds that all of the above have held meetings or talks with Huijsen’s camp in the past week, though seemingly no offers have been made at this stage.
As for the reported interest from Real Madrid, Ornstein reports that though the La Liga club do like the player, they don’t seem to be working on his signature right now. A Premier League move seems more likely.
Bournemouth and Huijsen want a swift resolution to the situation this summer, and the player’s £50m release clause should help with that.
But Ornstein adds that Arsenal might be a trickier sell than some of their rivals for the move, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes so established at the club. It might take Jakub Kiwior leaving for Huijsen to join, but it’s clear that Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are big fans.
19-year-old Huijsen has made 29 appearances for Bournemouth this season so far, as well as making his debut for the Spanish national team.
The former Juventus and AS Roma defender probably wouldn’t be on the market less than a year after joining Bournemouth in normal circumstances, but his release clause effectively guarantees that he’ll be moving on this summer.
Arsenal may have to make a quick decision about whether this is a deal they can afford to do, along with all their other summer business.