Real Madrid set sights on 19-year-old Premier League centre-back | OneFootball

Real Madrid are not prioritising the arrival of a central defender for 2025, but they are assembling a wish list for the position. Los Blancos have set their sights on a player many believe will be a future Spain international.

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has been impressing since his arrival in the Premier League under Andoni Iraola from Juventus, and Diario AS say that Real Madrid are paying attention. Their information is that of all the candidates on their shortlist, Huijsen is the preferred option currently.

Like Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Real Madrid were interested in the Dutch-Spanish defender when he left Malaga to join Juventus. After a spell on loan at Roma, Huijsen joined Bournemouth for €15m this past summer, and has since become a regular for the under-21 side in Spain.

Their major doubts about the operation are whether Huijsen could end up being a starter for them. Similarly, they are unsure about his willingness to initially take a reduced role. Los Blancos are debating whether to make a move for him now, knowing that down the line it could be much more difficult, with Arsenal and Manchester United also looking at him.

Real Madrid do not want to repeat the situation with Leny Yoro either, where he left their offer untouched to join Manchester United, who outbid Los Blancos. Other they names they like are Aymeric Laporte and William Saliba, but the cost of the deals will rule those moves out. Head Scout Juni Calafat is also a fan of Palmeiras teenager Vitor Reis for the position.

The move for Yoro was evidence that there is an understanding in the Spanish capital that Real Madrid need to invest in their backline. With Jesus Vallejo on his way out, even if Eder Militao were fit, Antonio Rudiger is into his thirties, and David Alaba is now 33. It remains unclear whether Raul Asencio has a long-term future at the club.