Chelsea willing to pay over the odds to beat Real to sign Bournemouth CB

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to pay over the odds to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen this summer.

Madrid has emerged as the most likely destination for the in demand 19-year-old, who made his senior debut for Spain against Netherlands, the country of his birth, this week.

Huijsen's performances for the Cherries have caught the eye of a number of European clubs including Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Newcastle. Not only does he appear to be on his way to becoming one of the world's premier centre-backs but the ball-playing defender is believed to have a release clause of just £50million.

Naturally, he is on the radar of Los Blancos, who, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER, recently entertained Huijsen's father at their Valdebebas training ground where he had a serendipitous encounter with club president Florentino Perez.

All paths appear to be leading to the Bernabeu, however, according to outlet, Chelsea are ready to try their luck at torpedoing the move and are prepared to offer wages far in excess of what is being offered in Madrid.

It may still have little impact on the player who confessed to be 'proud' to be linked with the European champions earlier this month and is reported to be a Madrid fan.

The centre back position became the Los Blancos board's aim after several issues drained the line during this season.

Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have both missed numerous significant games this term, while Eder Militao suffered a torn ACL in his right knee, which will keep him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

Huijsen has made 23 Premier League appearances this term and has been part of a defence that has conceded just 36 goals. Only four clubs — Liverpool (27), Arsenal (24), Nottingham Forest (35) and Crystal Palace (33) — have conceded fewer.

After completing international duty with Spain, Huijsen will return to the Vitality Stadium for a huge FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on March 30.

With European qualification still on the table ahead of the Premier League run-in, the Cherries will subsequently hope to carve out wins against Ipswich, West Ham and Fulham in their next three league games after the FA Cup meeting with City.