Dean Huijsen 'politely declined' Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Bayern Munich offers to wait for 'dream' Real Madrid move

Huijsen was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after Madrid triggered his €60 million (£50m/$66m) release clause at Bournemouth. The Spaniard had only joined the Cherries last year from Juventus for €15m (£13m/$16m) plus bonuses, but his standout displays in the Premier League quickly attracted interest from Europe’s biggest sides. Liverpool were among the most persistent suitors, while Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham all monitored his situation closely. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also made contact, but Huijsen kept them waiting as he hoped Madrid would come calling, a decision that ultimately paid off.

The 20-year-old thrived at Bournemouth last season, playing 30 Premier League matches and helping the club finish comfortably in 10th place. He also added three FA Cup appearances, racking up more than 2,800 minutes on the pitch, scoring three goals and providing two assists. His exposure to top-level players such as Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah shaped him into a more complete defender.

In an interview with Tuttosport, Huijsen's father and agent father explained why Bournemouth was such an important stepping stone: "We saw the opportunity of a starting spot in the Premier League, with the exciting and compelling chance of playing against top-tier strikers, starting with Haaland, Salah, and Isak. Furthermore, the Bournemouth manager is Portuguese player Tiago Pinto, formerly of Roma. A significant development path was in the offing for Dean, who actually played 32 games with 3 goals and 2 assists for the Cherry shirt. He also played 3 more FA Cup matches, totaling 2,800 minutes on the pitch."

He then revealed why his son turned down some of Europe’s biggest clubs: "These excellent performances earned him a contract with the most famous and successful club on the planet. Many of the big names in European football wanted him (Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle United, etc.), but he politely declined every offer, waiting for 'that' team to arrive, the 'team' of his dreams, the biggest and most fascinating: Real Madrid."

The Spaniard has already slotted seamlessly into Xabi Alonso’s defence, helping Los Blancos win six of their first seven La Liga fixtures this season. His arrival strengthens a backline that has been consistently tested by injuries in recent years, and his versatility could prove vital in both domestic and European competitions.

Madrid face Kairat Almaty in the Champions League before turning their attention to Villarreal in La Liga, with Huijsen expected to keep his place as Madrid aim to build momentum across all fronts.