Dean Huijsen LATEST after Liverpool take major step

Here's the latest on Dean Huijsen with the player set to leave Bournemouth this summer. Liverpool are among the favourites.

Liverpool are in the running to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. The defender almost certainly leaves the Cherries after the season comes to a close.

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That's because of a combination of two things. Firstly, Huijsen has been fantastic throughout the campaign, establishing himself as one of the best centre-backs in the league.

Doing that in the season you turn 20 will naturally draw interest. Then add the second factor: a £50m release clause.

That's a bargain for top clubs who want to bring in one of the best young talents in the league. Liverpool are one of those - they took a major step last week by notifying Bournemouth that they're prepared to meet the release clause.

Now, they're not the only club to do that. Other top Premier League sides have also made that clear and one of them might not be leading the race.

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Chelsea and Dean Huijsen

The Independent claims Chelsea are now leading he race for Huijsen. Admittedly, it's not entirely clear why that's the case.

The report mentions the promise of a seven-year contract, which may well sway Huijsen. That's an awful lot of guaranteed money and something that's convinced a plethora of young players to move to the Blues in recent years.

Perhaps Huijsen is the latest.

Though, Liverpool are also operating at a slight disadvantage in this one. The Reds don't actually have a spot for Huijsen right now, who would almost certainly want to arrive at a new club as a starting-XI player.

Ibrahima Konate currently fills the spot next to Virgil van Dijk. It's very possible he leaves this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain interested in a deal.

But until it's confirmed, Huijsen may think twice about signing for Liverpool. That's essentially the only reason we can see why he'd feel Chelsea is the better move right now.

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So we'll wait and see on this one but what's clear is that Liverpool face a fight for Huijsen.