Manchester United target Dean Huijsen has a release clause which comes into effect this summer, Fabrizio Romano reveals.
The 19-year-old centre-back has been in imperious form for Bournemouth this season as Andoni Iraola’s side sit an impressive 7th place in the Premier League table, only three points off Champions League qualification.
Despite an unrelenting injury crisis, the Cherries have emerged as one of the most difficult teams in the division to play, with a 4-1 victory against Newcastle, a 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest and a 3-0 win over United in recent months evidencing this.
Only three sides – Liverpool, Arsenal and Forest – have conceded fewer goals than Bournemouth, with Huijsen’s performances at the heart of their defence pivotal to this.
The defender has struck up a formidable partnership with Illi Zabaryni, demonstrating a maturity which belies his age, possessing a 6’5 frame which makes him a dominant force aerially in either penalty box.
A host of clubs across Europe, including United, are interested in signing Huijsen with Romano contending the 19-year-old will be “one to watch” in this summer’s transfer window.
The Release Clause
The Italian transfer guru reveals Huijsen has a “release clause into his contract valid in the summer.”
This means whichever side is willing to pay the fee – believed to be in the region of £50 million – will be able to bypass Bournemouth officials and negotiate directly with the defensive starlet.
However, Caught Offside state officials at the Vitality Stadium want Huijsen to “sign a new contract” so they can increase the value of this release clause.
The report states, “There have not yet been any talks between the player and any other club, nor have Bournemouth received direct approaches, but Huijsen has been monitored closely and features on the lists of [many] top clubs”.
A Need for a LCB at Old Trafford
The introduction of a 3-4-3 system at United since Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November has put intense spotlight on the defensive channels of the pitch.
The wing-back positions are vital in the Portuguese coach’s system, given they are responsible for providing width and attacking thrust down either wing.
The recent capture of Patrick Dorgu and the continued interest in Geovany Quenda demonstrate this this need for players with technical quality and physicality in equal measure.
However, the defenders who sit on either side of the three-man defence are also essential, particularly given the need for them to be able to defend large spaces in transition if the wing-back has pushed forward, as instructed.
19-year-old defender Leny Yoro appears tailor made for this role on the right, though he will naturally need time and patience to adapt to a new system as well as a new league and country.
And Lisandro Martinez had appeared to be regaining his impressive form in his debut season at Old Trafford in recent months, only for a devastating knee injury to strike, ruling the Argentine out until at least the start of next season with an ACL tear.
Martinez, 27, has endured repeated injuries over the past two years, with this the most serious yet. It’s unclear how the former Ajax man will perform when he finally returns, particularly given his struggles initially when re-entering the team after an injury previously.
Furthermore, the doubts over the former Ajax defender’s suitability to the physical demands Amorim places upon his defenders continue. His ability on the ball is world-class and has proven pivotal in many of United’s results over the winter period.
However, his suitability to defending without the ball remains questionable, with the Argentinian international possessing neither the physical frame nor the top-end speed to effectively defend the left-hand channel, particularly if the wing-back ahead of him has bombed forward.
The 6’5 Huijsen, with strong mobility and ball progression abilities, is often left defending large spaces as Bournemouth’s left-back, Milos Kerkez, is instructed to provide a constant overlap to the left-winger.
The 19-year-old has thrived in the exact conditions which Amorim expects his defenders to play in.
Given the concerns over Martinez’s profile and unfortunate injury record, the prospect of a £50 million release clause for one of Europe’s leading defensive prospects appears an increasingly good price for the Red Devils.
Feature image Michael Steele via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
