Fabrizio Romano explains advantage Liverpool have over Real Madrid for £50m Dean Huijsen

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With the Premier League title all-but secured and their involvement in this season’s Champions League having come to an end, Liverpool can afford to start thinking ahead towards the transfer window.

Fortunately for Arne Slot, the Dutchman’s second summer in the Anfield dugout will not – as it turns out – be dominated by discussions surrounding Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

Salah committed his future to Liverpool last week. Van Dijk should follow suit. Trent Alexander-Arnold is still expected at Real Madrid, of course, and he will take some replacing.

Yet, with The Reds constructing a core of young, hungry and improving players, this summer is likely to be about evolution rather than what felt previously like a very possible and largely unwanted revolution.

In terms of potential central defensive signings, Liverpool appear to be pursuing rising stars capable of learning from, and eventually one day replacing, the soon-to-be 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk.

Dean Huijsen, 15 years the Dutchman’s junior, feels like an ideal fit.

Fabrizio Romano explains Liverpool’s Dean Huijsen stance

A teenage centre-half who, while now a proven Premier League quantity and expensive at £50 million, would arrive at Anfield not with the immediate pressure to stepping into Van Dijk’s shoes but with the luxury of further honing his talents over the next couple of seasons before taking his captain’s place.

Liverpool held talks with Dean Huijsen’s camp this month, according to the ever-reliable David Ornstein.

This came as Huijsen confirmed a release clause in his AFC Bournemouth contract. One rumoured to be in the £50 million mark.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	32	23	7	2	74	31	43	76
2	ArsenalArsenal	32	17	12	3	57	27	30	63
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	32	17	6	9	51	38	13	57
4	NewcastleNewcastle	31	17	5	9	56	40	16	56
5	Man CityManchester City	32	16	7	9	62	42	20	55
6	ChelseaChelsea	32	15	9	8	56	39	17	54
7	Aston VillaAston Villa	32	15	9	8	49	46	3	54
8	B’mouthBournemouth	32	13	9	10	52	40	12	48

Now, the newly-capped Spain international is also keeping the door very much ajar to long-time suitors Real Madrid. But, as Fabrizio Romano now explains, Liverpool could strike while the iron is hot, and as Los Blancos are mulling over their options.

Perhaps that is why Liverpool, not to mention top-flight rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, are keen to kick-off the talks with months remaining until the summer begins.

“Dean Huijsen would be very open to a move to Real Madrid,” Romano explains. “But this depends on Real Madrid.

“And, as of today, Real Madrid have still not decided whether they want to invest in a centre-back this summer or continue with the centre-backs they have. Huijsen is appreciated at Real Madrid, but they have not decided whether they want to spend on a centre-back in the summer or not.

“Obviously, Huijsen can’t wait forever. This is why Premier League clubs are working on this deal. I already told you in general about Liverpool, about Chelsea, about Arsenal. Bayern [Munich] have also been calling for weeks for Dean Huijsen.

“Now, Premier League clubs are really, really pushing. So, the timing will be important in this story. Dean Huijsen is going to keep exploring all the options in the next days and weeks.”

Huijsen adds to Jarell Quansah uncertainty as Andoni Iraola prays

A naturally two-footed central defender, Huijsen’s remarkable composure and superb reading of the game have made him perhaps the most coveted young stopper in the Premier League right now despite having only arrived at Bournemouth from Juventus for a bargain £12.8 million a year ago.

Should Slot win the race, Liverpool may let Jarell Quansah go with Newcastle United interested on the academy graduate.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is keen to keep Huijsen focused, meanwhile. European football is not yet out of the question for The Cherries.

“My only concern with Dean is he keeps his focus here,” Iraola explained ahead of Monday’s 1-0 victory over Fulham. “I see he trains very well. He’s very focused on improving individually, improving us as a team collectively.

“No, I don’t think the noise around is affecting him. I see him in a good place.”