Real Madrid have activated the £50m release clause in the contract of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.
The Spanish giants are finalising a deal to sign the 20-year-old, who has prioritised a move to Real Madrid despite interest from the Premier League.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool had all expressed interest in signing Huijsen, but are set to face disappointment as Real Madrid close in on his transfer.
🚨 BREAKING: Real Madrid have activated £50m release clause in Dean Huijsen’s contract 🤝 (via @TheAthleticFC) pic.twitter.com/ZGUkRupQyZ
— 433 (@433) May 15, 2025
The Athletic are reporting that discussions over personal terms are advanced with Huijsen’s representatives in Madrid on Thursday. Huijsen’s release clause can be paid in three instalments and Real Madrid want the defender to link up with their squad ahead of this summer’s Club World Cup campaign.
The transfer will conclude a rapid rise for Huijsen, who joined Bournemouth from Juventus for a fee of £12.8m last summer.
He has impressed as part of Andoni Iraola’s side, ranking in the top 5% of Premier League centre-backs for clearances and interceptions per game. Huijsen also ranks in the top 10% for progressive carries, while no u-21 player has made more clearances.
His performances earned Huijsen a senior debut with Spain in March and he will now head to Madrid to link up with Los Blancos. The youngster will become Xabi Alonso’s first signing as Real Madrid manager.
Real Madrid had made the signing of a centre-back a priority for the summer window, with Eder Militao and David Alaba struggling with injuries this season.
The Spaniards are also expected to announce the free transfer signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool imminently.
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