Two years after Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia slipped through Jurgen Klopp’s grasp, could Chelsea once again stick a spanner in Liverpool’s summer plans?
While Liverpool opened talks with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen a few weeks back, more recent reports emerging over the last 48 hours or so suggest that another of the Reds’ leading transfer targets could be on his way to Stamford Bridge instead.
Deja vu, indeed.
Chelsea have ‘taken a lead’ in pursuit of Huijsen, so say The Independent.
Now, before you all rush to ask just why on earth a central defender with so much life ahead of him would choose the draining environment of Stamford Bridge, it should be stressed that no decision has been made yet by the Amsterdam-born Spain international.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the interest of both Liverpool and Chelsea can be traced back to the beginning of 2025.
Dean Huijsen was really starting to come into his stride as a Bournemouth player back then, having netted a winner against Tottenham Hotspur before setting Andoni Iraola’s Cherries on their way to another famous 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
And while Liverpool have interest in Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi, amongst others, Huijsen appears to have cemented his position right at the top of the Premier League leaders’ summer wishlist.
Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool still well-placed to land Dean Huijsen
Romano, meanwhile, confirms that talks are indeed underway with Chelsea. But, with Liverpool and Arsenal too also having held initial discussions with the 19-year-old former Juventus starlet, suggestions that Chelsea could leave Liverpool empty handed again appear premature.
“The reality is that Dean Huijsen has not made a decision yet,” Romano begins, a £50 million release clause in the defender’s contract set to become active once the season ends. “Huijsen is speaking to all these clubs.
“He’s speaking to Chelsea, for sure. I told you in January how Chelsea wanted in Huijsen but, for Bournemouth, [a winter sale] was impossible. Also because the clause was not valid in January.
“It is valid in the summer so Chelsea will be there. Liverpool will be there because Liverpool’s interest is really genuine. Liverpool want Huijsen, but this is not new. This is something [which started in] January, February.
“Don’t forget about Arsenal because Arsenal are also pushing. Mikel Arteta wants one more top defender to add to to the package. So Chelsea, Liverpool Arsenal; These three clubs, for sure.”
Newcastle United and Bayern Munich fall behind in Huijsen battle
Ambitious Newcastle United and underachieving Tottenham are already trailing in the wake of three traditional Premier League powerhouses. The riches of English football could blow Bayern Munich out of the water.
And while Huijsen has left the door ajar to Real Madrid, the recently-dethroned European champions have not yet committed themselves to a £50 million defensive addition.
“It looks difficult for Newcastle. Tottenham were also interested in entering this race in a concrete way. [But] these giants are now pushing a lot,” Romano adds.
“Don’t forget about Bayern because Bayern could look for a defender in the in the summer transfer window, and Huijsen is a player they love.
“[But] they feel that Premier League clubs can spend way more money, and so that’s why Bayern at the moment are not that confident that they can make it happen. But they want the player, they made contact with those close to the player but they feel the Premier League clubs can pay more money.
“That’s why could be complicated for them but Bayern.
“What about Real Madrid? Real Madrid would be one of the favourite options for the player, but Madrid at the moment have still not made any decision on whether they want to sign a defender or how much they want to invest.
“That’s why the situation is really leaning towards a move to the Premier League. Bayern keep calling but the Premier League is the most likely destination.”
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