Liverpool is said to be considering a move for Bournemouth's teenage center-back Dean Huijsen during the summer transfer window. The Spain international has emerged as one of the most promising young defenders in the world this season, firmly establishing himself as a mainstay in Andoni Iraola's team following a move from Juventus last summer.
Liverpool and Chelsea are both reported to be interested in Huijsen, but the Independent reports that Chelsea has done more work on a possible deal. The situation is far from resolved, though, and Liverpool could step up its interest should it become apparent that Virgil van Dijk will not continue at the club beyond the end of the season.
Van Dijk's Liverpool contract is due to expire at the end of June, and although he seemingly wants to extend his stay on Merseyside, he is yet to agree terms with the club over a renewal.
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Real Madrid is also said to admire Huijsen and believes it has huge pulling power considering its status as the world's biggest club, as well as the fact that Huijsen is Spanish. It was reported by Spanish outlet Diario AS last month that Huijsen, who reportedly has a £50 milion ($65 million) release clause in his Bournemouth contract, dreams of playing for Real Madrid.
Doak surprise
Meanwhile, Liverpool's teenage winger Ben Doak is being linked with a surprise move to Everton. TEAMtalk says that the Toffees will be in the market for a new winger this summer, with Doak among the players admired. The Reds expect offers to arrive for Doak in the off-season, and it would be interesting to see whether one from Everton would be entertained considering the two clubs' local rivalry.
It is claimed that Liverpool is yet to decide whether to keep Doak around its first-team squad next season, loan him out again, or offload him permanently. Doak joined the Reds from Celtic in 2022 and made 10 appearances across two seasons under former boss Jurgen Klopp, before the decision was taken for him to leave on loan last summer.
The 19-year-old winger joined Middlesbrough and his performances for the Teesside club generated plenty of attention before he was stopped in his tracks by a thigh injury. Doak last played for Boro in January and he underwent a minor operation to rectify the injury in March. He has been rehabilitating back at Liverpool since the operation and it is unclear whether he will be able to return before the end of the season.
The Scotland international was the subject of bids from Crystal Palace and Ipswich during the January transfer window but Liverpool rejected them both.
