Chelsea are increasingly confident of signing Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen this summer, despite rival interest from Liverpool and three other clubs, TEAMtalk understands.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old Spanish international,\u00a0who joined Bournemouth from Juventus for \u00a312.8m last summer, has established himself as one of the Premier League\u2019s brightest defensive talents.<\/p>\n
Huijsen<\/a> has made 29 league appearances for the Cherries this term, helping his side to keep seven clean sheets, and his performances have captured the attention of many sides.<\/p>\n The defender has a \u00a350m release clause in his contract, and several sides are very tempted to trigger it. Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Real Madrid are all admirers, but Chelsea\u2019s persistent efforts\u00a0over months of talks have positioned them as frontrunners, according to TEAMtalk sources.<\/p>\n The youngster\u2019s composure, aerial dominance and ball-playing ability align perfectly with Chelsea\u2019s aim to build a squad capable of playing top attacking and dominant football.<\/p>\n Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> strong relationship with Huijsen\u2019s representatives, who have helped facilitate deals for them previously, gives them an edge.<\/p>\n TEAMtalk can confirm that Chelsea are ready to offer Huijsen a lucrative seven-year contract, appealing to his desire for long-term security and regular game time.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/strong>:\u00a0Chelsea at loggerheads over Enzo Maresca sack as timeline on decision emerges<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Chelsea leading Liverpool in centre-back chase<\/p>\n Huijsen\u2019s recent performances have further fuelled Chelsea\u2019s determination to finalise a deal for Huijsen before the FIFA Club World Cup in June.<\/p>\n Despite rival interest from top sides, Chelsea\u2019s proactive approach has been received positively by Huijsen. The defender\u2019s father, Donny, has also reacted positively to the Blues\u2019 proposal.<\/p>\n Bournemouth<\/a>, meanwhile, are resigned to losing their star defender and are preparing for his exit by targeting potential replacements, such as Inter Milan\u2019s Yann Bisseck, as TEAMtalk reported on April 24<\/a>.<\/p>\n Real Madrid\u2019s interest in Huijsen\u00a0is\u00a0a concern for Chelsea, as the youngster has expressed admiration for the Spanish giants. However, Madrid are yet to make any significant moves for him.<\/p>\n Sources say Chelsea\u2019s confidence stems from their offered package and the potential of Champions League football, which aligns with Huijsen\u2019s ambitions.<\/p>\n The biggest risk to Chelsea at this stage is perhaps Liverpool<\/a>, who have made significant movements over the last few weeks. If Chelsea miss out on a top five spot and Champions League qualification, the Reds will be a team to watch closely.<\/p>\n Chelsea remain calm and confident though and believe Huijsen will accept their proposal and make the switch to London in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n This potential signing underscores Chelsea\u2019s strategy of investing in young, high-potential players to build a squad for the future. If successful, Huijsen could anchor their defence for years, which is a hope for the Blues as they do not want to keep replacing their central defenders every summer.<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS<\/strong>:\u00a0The FOUR Liverpool players out of contract in 2026: Keep or sell?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Latest Chelsea news<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd35 \u2018Dangerous\u2019 113-goal forward eyes Chelsea move after snubbing Tottenham<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd35\u00a0\u2018X-factor\u2019 Man Utd star \u2018keen on\u2019 joining Chelsea<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n