Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is almost certainly going to be one of the biggest stories of the summer transfer window.
Last week, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported in his subscriber-exclusive Q&A session that Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in the defender. David also highlighted that Huijsen has a £50million ($64.8m) release clause.
But why does each club want him, and whose style of play would he suit best?
The Athletic’s club experts James McNicholas, Liam Twomey, James Pearce, Chris Waugh and Jay Harris, and our tactics expert Anantaajith Raghuraman, have taken a look below.
Arsenal
Why do they want him?
Centre-backs with the physical and technical profile to play in Mikel Arteta’s team are few and far between. Arteta also values Premier League experience very highly. The opportunity to sign a player who ticks all those boxes was always likely to pique Arsenal’s interest.
Arsenal have been looking for a youthful centre-back addition for some time. They were previously interested in Vitor Reis, now of Manchester City, and have since turned their attention to Huijsen.
They may also lose Jakub Kiwior this summer; the Poland international has started just five Premier League games this season, and Arsenal recognise that if he wants to move for regular first-team football, it would be difficult to stand in his way. As such, reinforcements in that area will be important.
What role would he play in the team?
Arsenal have a very established central defensive pairing in William Saliba and Gabriel, but the arrival of Huijsen would provide a compelling third option.
His two-footedness and ability to play on both sides of the central defensive axis would open up some interesting selection and rotation possibilities for Arteta.
Would he suit the style of play?
His ease on the ball and ability to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League make him a good fit for Arsenal. There aren’t many central defenders out there with the ability to step into the Arsenal back four and replicate the roles of Saliba or Gabriel.
At 20, Huijsen has the potential to get there.
James McNicholas
Chelsea
Why do they want him?
Chelsea rarely pass up an opportunity to pursue a young player exhibiting elite potential, particularly when they feel the likely transfer fee represents an excellent long-term value proposition.
In terms of age, ability and suitability for Enzo Maresca’s system, Huijsen appears to tick all the main boxes of the profile Chelsea are looking for — even more so if he is prepared to fit into Clearlake Capital’s unique salary and contract structure at Stamford Bridge.
What role would he play in the team?
Wesley Fofana’s continuing injury problems mean there is an opening next to Levi Colwill in Maresca’s strongest starting XI.
Huijsen would have competition to hold down that spot now and in the future — not least from rising academy graduate Josh Acheampong — but no one is currently barring his route to regular minutes at the heart of Chelsea’s defence.
Would he suit the style of play?
Huijsen’s comfort level on the ball makes him a fit for Maresca’s positional and possession-focused style of play, which often requires his defenders to invite opposition pressure before identifying and executing the right passes through and around it.
Another plus point is that Huijsen’s resume at Bournemouth has shown he is more than capable of standing up to the physical and athletic demands of being a high-level centre-back in the Premier League — and his youth means his body is unlikely to be finished developing yet.
Liam Twomey
Liverpool
Why do they want him?
Liverpool are looking to strengthen defensively this summer — and Huijsen certainly fits the bill in terms of his age, technical qualities and the fact that he possesses Premier League experience.
His £50million release clause also avoids the prospect of protracted negotiations, with Liverpool taking advantage of similar situations when they bought Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai two years ago.
Virgil van Dijk is on the brink of signing a new two-year contract, but uncertainty surrounds the future of his regular centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate. The France international only has one year remaining on his current deal, with talks over an extension dragging on.
There has also been speculation over Jarell Quansah, who attracted interest from Newcastle last summer. However, Liverpool insist that the academy graduate, who signed a new five-year contract in October, isn’t for sale.
Long-serving Joe Gomez is Arne Slot’s other senior centre-back, but he hasn’t played since February due to injury.
What role would he play in the team?
Much depends on what happens with Konate’s situation. If he doesn’t pen an extension, then Liverpool will either have to sell him this summer or run the risk of losing him for nothing in 2026.
Huijsen has the potential to be Van Dijk’s long-term replacement as Liverpool’s left-sided centre-back. However, the Liverpool captain’s new deal means he will remain a regular in Slot’s back line beyond this season.
Given that Huijsen is two-footed, there’s no reason why he couldn’t play alongside Van Dijk and benefit from the Dutchman’s wealth of experience as his development continues.
With Liverpool looking to compete on all four fronts next season, there wouldn’t be a shortage of game time for the youngster.
James Pearce
Would he suit the style of play?
Yes. Under Slot, Liverpool’s ball progression is funnelled more centrally. Huijsen’s comfort in passing with both feet will be incredibly valuable for Liverpool to break the first line and find Ryan Gravenberch in build-up play.
He can also deputise for either Van Dijk or Konate, having played in both centre-back positions for Bournemouth this season. Huijsen’s ball-carrying would add an extra layer to Liverpool’s ball progression, too.
He is capable of defending space and following attackers up the pitch, making him a solid fit alongside Van Dijk, who often sweeps up behind his partner, and Konate, who loves to duel.
Anantaajith Raghuraman
Newcastle United
Why do they want him?
There are only two areas of the team that Newcastle have failed to strengthen post-takeover: right-sided forward and right-sided centre-back. Both are priority positions for the recruitment team heading into the summer window.
Huijsen’s versatility, given how comfortable he is with both feet, means he could play in either centre-back position and that increases his attractiveness.
Crucially, Huijsen already has Premier League experience but is also young and, given he has a release clause, is available for what is considered to be a relatively reasonable price in the current market, and has the height and physicality to excel in England’s top flight.
While Huijsen is far from Newcastle’s only target — his Bournemouth team-mate Illia Zabarnyi has keen admirers within St James’ Park, though he does not have a similar release clause, while Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi remains of keen interest — he does fit the ideal profile of centre-back they are hoping to bring to Tyneside.
What role would he play in the team?
Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have been almost ever-present under Eddie Howe, but are 33 and 32 respectively, and succession planning is required.
Schar has extended his stay by another 12 months, while Jamaal Lascelles’ (31) contract also has another year to run. But aside from the 25-year-old Sven Botman, Newcastle do not have a centre-back option who is under the age of 30.
Huijsen would provide direct competition for Burn, Schar and Botman, and he would also add depth to a Newcastle squad which must cope with the additional demands of European football next season (even if the competition they will play in is yet to be determined).
Chris Waugh
Would he suit the style of play?
Eddie Howe likes his centre-backs to be expansive. Only Fulham’s Joachim Andersen, Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold have attempted more long balls (passes of 35 or more yards) per 90 than Schar’s 9.5.
Huijsen (9.1 long balls per 90) is excellent at progressing play with switches or line-breaking passes from either side of central defence.
His defensive fit is more interesting. Under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, Huijsen has shown the tactical nous needed to man-mark players across the pitch, which should fit seamlessly into Howe’s defensive scheme.
Anantaajith Raghuraman
Tottenham Hotspur
Why do they want him?
Spurs changed their approach in the transfer market after Johan Lange became their technical director in November 2023. Lange revamped the recruitment department to become more data-oriented and has focused on signing quality young players, including Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Wilson Odobert.
Huijsen fits this profile perfectly. The Spain international could be the bedrock of their defence for the long term. With Bergvall and Gray in midfield ahead of him, Spurs could boast a squad packed with massive potential who could grow organically together.
What role would he play in the team?
Spurs have signed Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso over the last two years, while Cristian Romero is their vice-captain. All four of those players are senior internationals who want to play every single game. Do not forget about Ben Davies and Gray, either. The latter covets a central-midfield role but has mainly featured in defence this season.
If Spurs added Huijsen into the mix, then they would surely need to sell somebody to accommodate him. Dragusin is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and will not return until next season. Danso only arrived on loan, with an obligation to buy, in February. Davies is their longest-serving current player and is set to stay for another year.
That leaves Van de Ven and Romero. Van de Ven’s recovery speed is integral to Ange Postecoglou’s high defensive line, while Romero’s quality in possession is unmatched. The Argentinian has made several high-profile errors this season, however, and has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid. Cashing in on Romero to make a move for Huijsen might be their best option.
Jay Harris
Would he suit the style of play?
Huijsen’s fit at Spurs is intriguing. His distribution will be crucial to their build-up, which involves quick passing from back to front, while he is great at defending space. Huijsen is not the quickest without the ball, which prompts doubts over his fit in their high defensive line.
But if Spurs choose to shift away from the Postecoglou project and adopt a different strategy, Huijsen’s attributes tick several boxes.
Anantaajith Raghuraman
(Top photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images)