Liverpool eye summer move for Mourinho-approved starlet

Liverpool wants Juventus centre-back Dean Huijsen, who Jose Mourinho labelled as “one of the highest quality prospects in European football”

Juventus centre-back Dean Huijsen who once earned high praise from Jose Mourinho is a transfer target for Liverpool this summer. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a steep rise in his reputation and spent time on loan with AS Roma last season.

Huijsen has also shifted his nationality this year from the Netherlands to Spain, representing the Spanish national team at Under21 level. The 19-year-old returns to Juventus after falling out of favour with Daniel De Rossi who replaced Mourinho at Roma

Standing at 1.97 metres, Huijsen has an imposing presence in the backline with strength and athleticism to participate in duels. Out of possession, he prefers to read the game and use his positioning to eliminate opposition attacks in his area.

The Spaniard made a lot of clearances and tackles for Roma to display his defensive ability but he is raw. Huijsen has a lot of room for improvement in defensive areas to participate regularly at the top level.

He has struggled in aerial duels and dealing with tricky dribblers, a room for opportunity for him to develop. The 19-year-old has displayed his best work on possession, playing as a typical modern-day defender to influence the game.

Huijsen is a brilliant distributor of the ball and his goal against Frosinone showcases his ability to cover distance. The Spaniard made 14 appearances in all competitions for Roma during his short spell, contributing two goals and two assists.

The 19-year-old’s talent is still raw but Mourinho is a fantastic judge of capable defenders and his endorsement is justified. According to the Italian publication Tutto Juve (via Liverpool Echo), Liverpool wants Huijsen from Juventus during the summer.

More Liverpool News!

• Liverpool ready to part ways with South American ace this summer; £50m+ offers welcome
• Liverpool handed opportunity to scupper Chelsea plans for PL ace with £60 million release clause
• Liverpool eyes next-gen superstar to succeed Van Dijk, but European giants stand in the way!

Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United are joining the chase for a highly-rated Spanish U21 star, valued at over £25 million, as the race for his signature heats up. The Reds want to bolster their defence during the summer after losing Joel Matip for free.

New head coach Arne Slot can develop Huijsen‘s age and raw talent, which meets Liverpool’s preferred profile. Furthermore, his development could bolster around top players like captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez.