Footballwonk

Real Madrid beat Premier League rivals to Dean Huijsen after triggering £50m clause

Real Madrid are set to outpace Premier League clubs by triggering Dean Huijsen’s £50m clause. Verbal agreement reached, official deal pending.

A creased contract folder becomes the axis of ambition as Real Madrid outpaces rivals for Dean Huijsen.

Real Madrid have reached a verbal agreement with Bournemouth for the transfer of 20-year-old centre-back Dean Huijsen. According to BBC Sport and ESPN, the Spanish club are set to activate his £50 million release clause, to be paid in three structured instalments. A five-year contract has been agreed in principle, and official confirmation is expected before the Club World Cup in June.

If finalised, the deal will also benefit Huijsen’s former clubs, with Juventus entitled to 10% and Málaga to 5% of the total fee. The Telegraph reports that the instalment model was key in allowing Real Madrid to move quickly and outpace their rivals.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea left behind

According to AS and The Times, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea had all shown interest in Huijsen. However, the player was reportedly drawn to Real Madrid due to a long-standing admiration for the club and the influence of incoming manager Xabi Alonso, who sees him as a key part of his defensive rebuild.

Steam rising from empty coffee cups echoes Premier League hesitation as Huijsen walks toward Madrid.

Breakout season in the Premier League

Huijsen joined Bournemouth from Juventus in the summer of 2024 and made 34 appearances in all competitions during his first season in England, scoring three goals. According to PremierLeague.com and FootyStats.org, he averaged 1.2 tackles, 3.4 recoveries, 2.2 aerial duels won and completed passes at a rate of 90.15%.

Huijsen’s game is defined by calmness under pressure and technical precision. He contributed significantly to Bournemouth’s build-up play, rarely losing possession in transition and maintaining tempo through safe, progressive passing. Deployed at the heart of a back three, he was often the starting point of attacks and consistently handled pressing scenarios with composure.

A return to familiar ground

Though born in the Netherlands, Huijsen spent much of his youth in Spain and developed in Málaga’s academy before moving to Juventus. Both BBC and AS highlight the emotional and footballing relevance of his move to Real Madrid, describing it as a return to a country and club he has long felt connected to.

A sideline in Málaga marks the threshold between youth memory and Real Madrid’s future.

Strategic addition for the summer

Huijsen is expected to join Real Madrid’s pre-season camp in July 2025. Manager Xabi Alonso plans to integrate him into a centre-back group that includes Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger and Nacho Fernández. According to ESPN, the club aims to prepare Huijsen early for the upcoming Club World Cup and La Liga campaigns.