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Real Madrid are reportedly plotting a surprise move for teenage Premier League defender Dean Huijsen, who plays for AFC Bournemouth. The 19-year-old only just joined the Cherries in the summer of 2024, with the English club paying €15.2 million to Juventus to get him on board.
The centre-back has taken to life in England smoothly. His performances have been brilliant, helping the Cherries climb up the league table. They are currently in the sixth position. In his last five Premier League starts, Bournemouth have kept a clean sheet in three games, while conceding just two goals. They also have not lost any of those five games.
According to Spanish outlet AS (via Football Transfers), Huijsen's quality performances have piqued the interest of the European giants Real Madrid. The teenager, who has played for the Netherlands' and Spain's youth sides, could be on the verge of his next move, if reports are to be believed.
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It is worth noting that Los Blancos were previously interested in his services a few years ago. He could have joined them from Malaga, but instead opted for a switch from Spain entirely, joining Juventus and impressing. While Huijsen did not move to Valdebebas because of potential playing time struggles, Real Madrid are now in need of defensive reinforcements.
Injuries have hit the Spanish giants hard. This has seen them turn to the transfer market in a bid to find answers to their fitness woes in the first third, and they appear to lead the race for Huijsen's signature. It won't be an easy task to sign him though, with Bournemouth expected to demand a high fee.
Carlo Ancelotti admits injury problems have affected Real Madrid
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that injury problems affected the club's run of form in recent weeks. Los Blancos currently sit in second place on La Liga table, one point behind Atletico Madrid with 18 games played.
Their UEFA Champions League campaign has gone much worse, with Los Blanocs wallowing in 20th. However, speaking to the press after their 4-2 win over Sevilla, Ancelotti said (via club website):
"The evolution has been the defensive commitment. The missing players like Militão, Carvajal, Alaba and Mendy took their toll. We have tried to strengthen our quality. Mbappé is much better, Bellingham has started to score and Rodrygo is back. We've also done very well in attack."
Indeed, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy have all been out of contention due to long-term cruciate ligament injuries. Real Madrid may have to dip into the transfer market in the winter transfer window to find urgent alternatives to these transfer woes.
