Dean Huijsen to Chelsea? Blues could be best fit for Arsenal and Tottenham transfer target | OneFootball

Liverpool, Newcastle and Real Madrid are also said to be pursuing Spain defender after remarkable first season at Bournemouth

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Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen is on plenty of clubs’ radars ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

Huijsen penned a six-year deal on signing for the Cherries but is believed to have a £50million release clause written into that contract.

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Liverpool have all been linked with the Spanish international, but so, too, have London’s three biggest Premier League clubs.

So which of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham need Huijsen most - and where might he realistically end up?

Arsenal

The Gunners are expected to be in the market for centre-back cover this summer. Jakub Kiwior could be sold and injuries this season to versatile defenders Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu have left Mikel Arteta overly reliant on Gabriel and William Saliba. The former eventually picked up a hamstring problem earlier this month and is out for the rest of the season.

However, Arteta’s most pressing needs are in attack, where statement signings at centre-forward and out wide are planned, and in central midfield, where Thomas Partey and Jorginho are due to be out of contract and Martin Zubimendi the No1 target.

Sidelined: A season-ending injury to Gabriel has left Arsenal short on centre-back options

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As such, it is unlikely that Arsenal will find another £50m to splash on a centre-back who would have little chance of disrupting the established partnership between Saliba and Gabriel. Jorrel Hato of Ajax remains a target and potentially at a more realistic price.

The one thing that could move the dial would be if transfer interest again ramped up in Gabriel. The Brazilian has only two years left to run on his contract and has previously been targeted by clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Chelsea

According to fresh reports this week, Chelsea are leading the race for Huijsen at this stage and it is not difficult to see why, given his age and profile fit the club’s recruitment model during the Todd Boehly-Clearlake era perfectly.

On paper, the Blues are well-stocked at centre-back in terms of numbers, but they have struggled defensively since a promising partnership between Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill was interrupted by the former’s hamstring injury in December.

Benoit Badiashile could leave this summer, while Trevoh Chalobah’s future is uncertain after he was recalled from loan at Crystal Palace in January. Axel Disasi is due back at the end of his loan spell at Aston Villa but is likely to be sold.

Struggle: Wesley Fofana remains an important player for Chelsea but has a torrid injury record

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Fofana remains a key part of Enzo Maresca’s plans but has been sidelined again since initially returning from injury and his torrid fitness record over the last three or four seasons means the club are expected to press ahead with another marquee centre-back signing.

Huijsen could be the man, though as with all of Chelsea’s summer transfer business, whether or not they qualify for the Champions League will be a significant factor.

Tottenham

Spurs will be on the hunt for a new centre-back when the window opens, having failed with a surprise move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi late in January.

It appears increasingly possible that Cristian Romero will leave the club this summer, with the Argentine having said publicly this week that he wants to play in Spain.

Whether Spurs could attract Huijsen, who is expected to have his pick of the leading English clubs as well as suitors overseas, is another question.

The club have provided a platform for young players like Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray this season and playing time would perhaps be more guaranteed than elsewhere, particularly given concerns over Micky van de Ven’s injury record.

Future uncertain: Tottenham star Cristian Romero has admitted a desire to play in Spain

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However, there is heavy uncertainty over who will be the club’s manager next term and depending on whether they win this season’s Europa League, Spurs will either play Champions League football next term or miss out on Europe altogether.

One interesting twist would be were Ange Postecoglou to leave north London and be replaced by Andoni Iraola, Huijsen’s current manager at Bournemouth, who is believed to be on Tottenham’s shortlist.