Liverpool suffer setback in their pursuit of Juventus starlet Dean Huijsen as Bournemouth keep pushing for his signature
Liverpool have received a fresh blow in their pursuit of highly-rated Juventus defender Dean Huijsen. This is because transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claims that Bournemouth are embroiled in a battle with VfB Stuttgart for the youngster’s signature.
The Reds are yet to make any summer signings thus far since the appointment of Arne Slot as the new gaffer at the end of last season. With less than a month left for the new season to commence, the Merseysiders must buckle up and bring in fresh faces to help Arne Slot create a competent squad.
Having missed out on Leny Yoro to bitter rivals Manchester United, Liverpool have been linked with multiple centre-backs. One of them is Juventus starlet Dean Huijsen, who spent the second half of last season on loan at AS Roma. However, it is our Premier League rivals Bournemouth who have intensified their efforts to sign the teenager.
From his official X account, Fabrizio Romano claims negotiations between Bournemouth and Juventus are accelerating as they are pushing to get a deal done after Stuttgart’s opening bid for the Amsterdam-born talent.
“Bournemouth are pushing to sign Dean Huijsen in transfer battle with Stuttgart, talks on with both clubs,” Romano tweeted.
“Negotiations accelerating as Bournemouth are insisting to get deal done, after Stuttgart initial bid. Juve want to sell Huijsen asap to proceed with Todibo deal.”
Huijsen was left out of the Juventus squad by new manager Thiago Motta ahead of their training camp in Germany, further intensifying speculation surrounding the centre-back’s future at the club. The Spanish youth international played just one game for the Turin giants last season, before joining AS Roma on loan in January. He made 14 appearances across all competitions in Roma colours, impressing with his composure on the ball, physicality and reading of the game.
Liverpool’s defensive unit has been weakened following the departure of Joel Matip on a free transfer in June. Arne Slot presently has Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah as centre-back options. And with Van Dijk recently turning 33 as well as entering the final year of his contract and Konate yet to prove his fitness at Anfield, the Reds desperately need to invest in a young centre-back.
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This makes Huijsen’s profile a perfect fit for Liverpool. The 19-year-old is surplus to requirements at Juventus, as evidenced by Motta’s aforementioned actions. A young defender of his calibre and high ceiling would be welcomed by Slot, who is keen to strengthen his squad. The Reds have been interested in his signature this summer, but unless the club acts fast, we could concede the initiative to other parties—such as Bournemouth and Stuttgart—who have shown more appetite to get the deal over the line.
Following Romano’s report of Bournemouth upping their ante to sign Huijsen, it remains to be seen whether the Merseysiders wake up and make a move.
