Dean Huijsen snubs Chelsea in favour of two Premier League rivals

Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen has been described as "ready to leave behind" an offer from Chelsea and is reportedly leaning towards a move to Arsenal or Liverpool this summer.

Huijsen has been the Premier League's breakout player of the season, having joined Bournemouth in a relatively low-key £12.8m deal from Juventus last July.

The towering defender has caught the eye of suitors across England and the rest of Europe. But with numerous clubs willing to trigger the 20-year-old’s £50m (€58m) release clause, which can be paid to Bournemouth in three instalments, the decision of which to join will be his.

In a report that reads like it's been drip-fed from the Bernabeu communications department, a much-used tactic over the years, MARCA claims that Huijsen "continues to make progress" towards the Bernabeu and his preference for Madrid has been communicated to the club by the player's father.

The Spanish outlet also aims a clear and pointed dig at Leny Yoro, who was wanted by Madrid in a cut-price deal last summer, or a free transfer in 2025, until Manchester United blew them out of the water with big money offers to both Lille and the player. Madrid still won't match what Huijsen is being presented with in the Premier League, but MARCA insists he is willing to "give up" those more lucrative offers.

It is a different version of events than what is reported by Sky Sport Germany, who say Real Madrid are "keen" but that Arsenal and Liverpool are currently in the most promising position. Bayern are considered "unlikely" to suddenly jump ahead, as they are required to sell players before they can spend and therefore are said to prefer to target free agent Jonathan Tah.

Previous claims that Chelsea are the front of the queue have been refuted by conflicting reports.

Overall, a decision from Huijsen is "expected soon".

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