Arsenal 'huge fans' of £50m Chelsea, Liverpool & Real Madrid target | OneFootball

The growing list of Premier League clubs interested in signing Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth includes Arsenal, it has been reported.

The 19-year-old, who will leave his teenage years behind on Monday, has been one of the breakthrough stars of the 2024/25 campaign, playing an important role in the rise of Andoni Iraola's exciting Cherries.

Bournemouth's form may have dropped off in recent weeks, but the hype over Huijsen, who is now a full Spain international after making his debut in March's Nations League quarter-final double header against the Netherlands, has continued to grow.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been named as suitors of Huijsen, with a £50m release clause written into his Bournemouth contract public knowledge. Tottenham Hotspur and Carabao Cup winners Newcastle United are also thought to be keen on signing the teenager.

The Athletic report that interest in Huijsen also extends to Arsenal, who are in a strong position to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League after dismantling holders Real Madrid 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in midweek.

Manager Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta are described as "huge fans" of Huijsen, despite possessing what many believe to be the Premier League's best centre-back duo in William Saliba and Gabriel.

Jakub Kiwior leaving could pave the way for Dean Huijsen to join / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

The Gunners' interest could be heightened by the potential departure of Jakub Kiwior. The Pole hasn't been able to make much of an impression under Arteta, despite his ability to play at both centre-back and left-back, and the 25-year-old has been linked with a return to Serie A.

Huijsen, were he to join, would be expected to play regularly in north London, improving the quality of a defence that can also call upon Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the full-back areas.

Staying in the Premier League is thought to be the most likely outcome for Huijsen, whose representatives have already held meetings over his next step, and the fact he has a clean £50m release clause makes a transfer relatively quick and easy to do.

Bournemouth stand to gain a significant profit whatever happens, having paid just over £15m for Huijsen when signing him from Juventus last July.