'Last week' - David Ornstein reveals Newcastle United talks with £50m Premier League star's representatives
Newcastle United are keen on signing a new central defender this summer.
Newcastle United are among the Premier League clubs to have held talks with the representatives of AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.
The Magpies were linked with the Spain international last summer before he completed his £15million move to the Cherries from Juventus. Nearly a year on, and his price tag has more than tripled with several teams considering triggering his £50m release clause.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a fine debut season in England, missing just one of Bournemouth’s last 22 matches. That included their 4-1 win at St James’ Park in January, where Huijsen and centre-back Illia Zabarnyi were heavily praised for keeping Alexander Isak quiet.
David Ornstein reveals Newcastle United talks with Dean Huijsen’s representatives
Eddie Howe’s side are still targeting a central defender this summer, despite news of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles’ contract extensions in the past seven days. Huijsen features on United’s list having already reached out to his representatives, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
“Yes, I now understand that Liverpool are among the clubs with a firm interest in Dean Huijsen,” Ornstein wrote in his Athletic column. “This has been reported elsewhere and is accurate. Chelsea have enquired and Arsenal are in the mix, too.
“At the moment those are perhaps the three leading contenders but not the only ones, with Newcastle and Tottenham also keen. I believe they have all held meetings or conversations with Huijsen’s camp in the last week but I’m not aware of offers being made just yet, so the direction of travel remains unclear.
“It has been well documented that Real Madrid held great appeal for Huijsen growing up and they do like him, but I don’t know of them actively working on it and therefore — at the time of writing — it looks most probable he will join another Premier League club.”
Which players could Newcastle United target?
Newcastle made Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi their number one transfer target last summer but refused to meet his £70million price tag. The England international remains of interest as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
The Magpies are also admirers of Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, although sources on Merseyside have played down the chances of that happening. Sporting director Paul Mitchell and his team of scouts are exploring options outside of England.