Gary Lineker believes Dean Huijsen’s departure from AFC Bournemouth is inevitable, as Chelsea and other top clubs line up for the teenage defender.
Bournemouth’s incredible season sees them sitting seventh in the Premier League, just a point shy of the top four.
Recent emphatic wins, including a 4-1 triumph over Newcastle and also a 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest, have fueled fans’ dreams of Champions League football.
While their attack has earned praise, their defense, led by 19-year-old Huijsen, has been equally impressive.
The Spanish U21 international has been pivotal since his £12.7 million arrival from Juventus last summer. Under Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth have gone 11 games unbeaten, registering seven wins, four draws, and five clean sheets with Huijsen at the heart of the defense.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, with interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich already reported.
Following their recent victory over Forest, rumors surfaced about a release clause in Huijsen’s contract, set to activate this summer.
Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to secure the highly-rated centre-back. While the release clause amount remains undisclosed, Bournemouth is said to value Huijsen at over £50 million.
On The Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker praised both Huijsen and Bournemouth’s remarkable progress.
“Their energy and tactical discipline under Iraola are exceptional. Huijsen has caught the attention of many big clubs, and it’s going to be tough for Bournemouth to hold onto him,” he noted.
Alan Shearer also commended Huijsen and his defensive partner Illia Zabarnyi, saying, “The two centre-halves were outstanding again.
To dominate Forest, who’ve been in great form, is a testament to Bournemouth’s quality. They’ve already beaten Man City, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Forest this season.”
With Liverpool next on the schedule, Bournemouth’s dream season continues. Whether they can hold onto their rising star remains a pressing question as Europe’s giants come calling.