Neither Saliba nor Lukeba, This Is the Center-back Real Madrid Will Bid for in the Summer

At Real Madrid, they continue to scour the market in search of a player who can strengthen the club's defensive line. The injuries suffered during the current season have led to a significant change in the plans of the club's management. The first action in this regard took place in the last winter market, with the possibility of signing Trent Alexander-Arnold gaining momentum.

This move to strengthen the right-back position, following Dani Carvajal's injury and doubts about Lucas's performance, is not the only one being considered. Considering the difficulties Carlo Ancelotti has had in managing the center of the defense, several alternatives for this position are already being evaluated from Valdebebas.

The player who resonates most strongly with the club's leadership is none other than William Saliba. The profile of the French center-back from Arsenal fits perfectly with what Real Madrid would expect to sign to expand their roster of defenders, but there is only one hurdle.  The economic aspect currently keeps the club's leaders away from the '2' gunner, as they could request a transfer equal to or greater than 100 million euros this summer.

The exorbitant price requested from the noble area of the Emirates Stadium would have motivated the club's executives to seek other alternatives in the elite European transfer market. Eduardo Inda, recalling that  "it's obvious that Madrid needs center-backs", would have left the name of the new target: Dean Huijsen.

Dean Huijsen, an Option Managed by Real Madrid

The footballer from AFC Bournemouth is a "much younger alternative, with much more potential, who is already succeeding in the youth teams, who already delights Luis de la Fuente". Huijsen's growth with the cherries has placed him in the debate for his possible draft to the senior national team, another reason for Real Madrid to sponsor his signing.

For all these reasons, the player "is very much liked at Real Madrid", concludes Eduardo Inda. "He is a guy who is 6 ft. 6 in. (1.97 m)", an aspect to consider when looking for center-backs for the first team. The director of 'OKDiario' points out that Dean Huijsen is "one of the great promises of Spanish soccer".

A Central Defender for the Future

Meanwhile,  "he is the great center-back that Luis de la Fuente counts on for the future" so the scouts led by Juni Calafat do not lose track of him. The footballer from AFC Bournemouth, under the tactical command of Andoni Iraola, has emerged as one of the great positive surprises of the current English league season.

He would also have significantly tilted the center-back debate at Real Madrid... because Huijsen's addition offers better economic projections than other similar signings like those of Saliba or Castello Lukeba. Compared to the 90 million that both footballers would cost, at a minimum, Huijsen's price would be close to 60 million: Florentino Pérez would indeed pay that amount.