Chelsea leading race for €60m Real Madrid target – clause to be activated

Real Madrid have suffered greatly in defence this season, with David Alaba yet to get back to their best, and Eder Militao missing most of the season through a cruciate ligament injury. Despite the rise of Raul Asencio, Los Blancos feel they could do with getting younger at the position.

Enter Dean Huijsen. The Bournemouth centre-back was on their radar in January, having tried to recruit him several years ago, and Los Blancos reportedly made contact with his camp in March. After a stunning introduction to the Spanish national team, Huijsen was cited as Real Madrid’s favourite for the position. Huijsen admitted he was proud of the links, and is reportedly a Real Madrid fan too.

However their interest appears to have cooled of late. Los Blancos are yet to make any further advances, and are supposedly doubtful about the idea of spending €60m, his release clause, on a 20-year-old in his first season at the top level. That would not be an issue for his many Premier League suitors, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, while Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have also scouted him.

As per Diario AS, Chelsea are leading the race for Huijsen though. The Blues are happy to activate his release clause, and have made a strong pitch to Huijsen, who beyond the finances, is also leaning towards a move to London. Their information is that Chelsea plan to move, and may even do so in early June before the Club World Cup in the USA.

Previously the feeling had been if Real Madrid moved for Huijsen, then he would prioritise a move back to Spain this summer. It appears Los Blancos are running out of time to act if it is Huijsen that they want though. As Carlo Ancelotti recently stated, Real Madrid tend to make their decisions at the end of the season, but with just six or seven days between the end of the season and the transfer window in June, there will be little time to act.