Real Madrid Win Race for Dean Huijsen After Triggering £50m Release Clause

Bournemouth defender set to return to Spain as Madrid beat out Premier League rivals

Real Madrid appear to have pulled off another high-profile transfer coup, with sources close to the deal confirming that the Spanish giants are set to sign Bournemouth’s highly-rated centre-back Dean Huijsen after agreeing to pay his £50 million release clause.

The 20-year-old Spain international has reportedly given the green light to the move, turning down a host of suitors from the Premier League to return to the country where he grew up. The transfer fee, while significant, will be split into three instalments—with his former clubs Juventus and Málaga both due solidarity payments from the deal.

Though not yet officially confirmed, all signs point to the deal being wrapped up before the start of next month’s revamped Club World Cup in the United States—where Madrid will be eyeing yet another piece of silverware under the stewardship of their incoming head coach, Xabi Alonso.

From Marbella to Madrid: Huijsen’s journey comes full circle

Born in the Netherlands but raised in Spain, Huijsen’s story is a footballing journey rooted in multiple cultures. He began honing his skills in the sun-drenched pitches of Marbella, first at Costa Unida CF and later in the youth ranks of Málaga CF, before making a name for himself abroad.

His big break came when Juventus signed him as a teenager, a move that would put him on the radar of top clubs across Europe. But it was during his time in England with Bournemouth that Huijsen truly came into his own. Signed for just £12.6 million less than a year ago, the composed, ball-playing centre-back quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Cherries’ defence, making 34 appearances and scoring three goals across all competitions.

Now, less than 12 months later, he’s on the verge of becoming a Galáctico.

Xabi Alonso’s fingerprints all over the deal

Dean Huijsen leaves 3 Premier League clubs hanging as Real Madrid to meet release clause

Sources close to the Bernabéu say that incoming manager Xabi Alonso has played a decisive role in securing Huijsen’s signature. With Carlo Ancelotti set to vacate the Madrid hot seat following the Club World Cup, Alonso is already beginning to shape the squad in his image—and that includes reinforcing the backline with youth and athleticism.

Alonso, currently in charge of Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, is no stranger to Huijsen’s talents. The former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder is known to have kept close tabs on emerging defenders across Europe, and Huijsen fit the bill perfectly: young, tactically intelligent, and already experienced at the top level.

Madrid’s recruitment team has reportedly been aligned with Alonso’s thinking, viewing Huijsen as a long-term successor to stalwarts like David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger.

Premier League interest couldn’t sway Huijsen

It wasn’t for lack of interest that Huijsen chose the Spanish capital. The Dutch-born defender had no fewer than seven concrete offers on the table, including from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle all made attempts to lure him, but in the end, his heart was set on Madrid.

The emotional pull of returning to Spain—where he spent much of his formative years—proved too strong to resist. So too did the opportunity to join arguably the most iconic football club in the world, under a manager who clearly believes in his potential.

Madrid’s project offered something that even England’s elite couldn’t: a blend of prestige, personal resonance, and a tactical plan that puts young players at the forefront.

Financial details: clause triggered, bonuses shared

While the headline figure is £50 million, Madrid are expected to pay the sum in three parts, easing the immediate financial burden. Bournemouth, who had Huijsen under contract until 2028, are set to pocket a tidy profit in what may go down as one of the savviest pieces of short-term business in recent Premier League memory.

The Cherries paid £12.6 million for the defender last summer—making the forthcoming return nearly four times that investment. Not bad for a single season’s work.

Meanwhile, Juventus will receive 10% of the fee due to a sell-on clause included when Huijsen left Turin. Málaga, where the player spent his youth career, are also in line for a 5% cut thanks to FIFA’s solidarity mechanism, rewarding clubs who played a part in his development.

Another Premier League star to Madrid

Huijsen is set to be Real Madrid’s second acquisition from the Premier League this summer. Reports indicate that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is also on the verge of a move to the Bernabéu, further underlining Madrid’s aggressive approach in the transfer market.

The club is clearly preparing for a new era under Alonso—a transition from the old guard to a new generation capable of keeping Los Blancos at the summit of both Spanish and European football. And Huijsen, it seems, will be a central figure in that vision.

What Madrid fans can expect

At 6’3” with a calm presence on the ball and an ability to read the game well beyond his years, Huijsen ticks a lot of boxes for a modern centre-back. He’s comfortable stepping into midfield, quick across the ground, and not afraid to put his body on the line when needed.

Madridistas may need a bit of patience as the youngster adjusts to the demands of La Liga and the expectations of the Bernabéu, but if his first season in the Premier League is any indication, he won’t take long to settle.

Huijsen joins a squad already brimming with young talent—Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Güler to name just a few—and the sense around Valdebebas is that something special is being built.

Final steps before official confirmation

While the club has yet to release an official statement, sources from both Spain and England indicate that an agreement is very close. With personal terms all but finalised, the final paperwork is expected to be completed in the coming days.

Real Madrid will hope to unveil Dean Huijsen well before their trip to the US for the Club World Cup, giving him time to integrate with his new teammates ahead of what promises to be another high-stakes campaign.

For Huijsen, the move marks the next chapter in a story that’s just beginning to unfold—one that now leads him back to Spain, and to one of the biggest stages in world football.