Young football prodigy Dean Huijsen, still in his early twenties, has already experienced a notable career journey. Starting with Juventus, he went on a beneficial loan spell at AS Roma before making a move to the Premier League side Bournemouth. His trajectory didn`t stop there, as he later joined La Liga giants Real Madrid. However, the path of the Spain international could have been quite different, as revealed by his agent, Ali Barat, in an interview with French media.
The Bournemouth Decision: Prioritizing Playing Time
In the summer of 2024, Huijsen transferred to Bournemouth from Juventus in a deal reportedly valued at just under €20 million. This move followed a successful loan period at Roma, where he showcased his potential. At the time, Bournemouth wasn`t the only club vying for his signature. Ali Barat disclosed that a move to Paris Saint-Germain was a “real option” for the talented defender.
Barat explained that Luís Campos, PSG’s sporting director, was an early admirer of Huijsen’s abilities. “Luís Campos was one of the first ones to recognize Huijsen’s potential, and in 2024, PSG were a real option,” his agent stated. Despite the allure of the Parisian club, Huijsen ultimately opted for the Vitality Stadium. His agent revealed the decisive factor: “Dean thought that he would have more opportunities to play regularly at Bournemouth compared to PSG.”
A Rapid Ascent to Real Madrid
Huijsen`s decision to prioritize playing time at Bournemouth proved astute. Just one year after his move to the English club, he secured a significant transfer to Real Madrid in a deal reported to be worth €60 million. Interestingly, his former central defensive partner at Bournemouth, Illia Zabarnyi, subsequently made a permanent move to Paris Saint-Germain, highlighting the intertwining paths in the top tier of European football.
