Chelsea reached out to the representatives of another transfer target this week, alongside Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, with BlueCo already getting busy ahead of the looming first summer window on June 1st.
Chelsea identify Dean Huijsen as top target with discussions held
Huijsen, following a very impressive debut Premier League campaign on the south coast, is attracting serious attention from England’s elite and further abroad.
Chelsea hold "very positive" Thursday talks with "sensational" £50m player
They were in discussions before losing to Legia Warsaw.
ByEmilio Galantini
Bayern Munich have registered a serious interest in the 20-year-old following Vincent Kompany’s recommendation (Pete O’Rourke), while reliable journalist David Ornstein shared that Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea have all held discussions with Huijsen’s camp recently.
The centre-back’s form at Bournemouth over 2024/2025 has earned him opening senior call-ups to the Spain national team squad, and he is seen as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders.
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Huijsen is also available for around £50 million this summer, thanks to a tempting release clause in his contract which has also prompted Real Madrid to reportedly sit up and take notice.
“I don’t know, we’ll see. It’s a big team,” said Huijsen on Real Madrid’s interest, in an interview with El Chiringuito TV.
“Every player wants to play in the maximum [level] possible.”
The competition for his signature will be ferocious, but according to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea held “very positive” talks with Huijsen again this week.
Following these negotiations, which took place on Thursday, Enzo Maresca’s side are said to be more confident they can strike a deal for the ex-Juventus starlet.
However, as per Phillips again, Huijsen isn’t the only defender they’ve approached in the last few days.
Chelsea hold talks with Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato's representatives
The reporter, writing via his Substack, claims Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato has also been subject to talks with Chelsea this week.
Phillips claims that Chelsea also held talks with Hato’s representatives on Thursday, alongside Huijsen, following another exceptional campaign in the Eredivisie for the £40 million Dutchman.
“Chelsea also spoke with the agents of Jorrel Hato of Ajax yesterday, as we reported today in our earlier sourced article on centre backs,” said Phillips on Thursday.
“Sources are saying that there is a chance that two defenders arrive at Chelsea this summer, with Marc Guehi also very much on the cards as well. Chelsea are pretty active in conversations for all three at the moment but Hato appeals due to the fact he can provide left back cover as well as centre back.”
The 19-year-old has already earned six international caps in a star-studded Netherlands side, and none of his Ajax teammates have played more top flight minutes than Hato this term, highlighting just how indispensable he is to Francesco Farioli despite being just a teenager.
Over his Eredivisie appearances, Hato has also racked up six assists, showcasing his ability to contribute further forward as an attack-minded full-back as well as defensively.
He could be a snip for Chelsea, but they’ll have to be aware of competition from Arsenal, who’ve scouted him since he was 16 (Graeme Bailey).