Why Real Madrid signed Huijsen and didn't sign Leny Yoro a year ago

Real Madrid has made official, just 24 hours ago, the incorporation of Dean Huijsen as their new player. The Spanish footballer, of Dutch descent, would have cost about 58 million euros: that is the figure established in his release clause. This operation represents a change of record in every sense for the white club, especially considering the final transfer figure of Dean Huijsen himself.

Because it is the first time in their history that Real Madrid exceeds 50 million euros to undertake the signing of a central defender. The maximum cap of those 50 million was set, to date, in the signing of Éder Militão from Porto in the winter market of 2019. Considering the conditions of Dean Huijsen's signing, many have wondered  what the difference is compared to Leny Yoro.

One of the great differences seen from the offices of Valdebebas is in the profile of the footballer. While it is true that Leny Yoro was considered a great option to reinforce the white defense, Dean Huijsen's profile ends up fitting more with the competitive demands. Especially because the former AFC Bournemouth player is left-footed and has an excellent ball exit.

At the same time, the economic aspect has played a key role in both cases. In the hypothetical signing of Leny Yoro, Real Madrid was always very clear with all parties involved in the negotiations: they would not offer more than 40 million euros. That limit for the transfer of the then LOSC Lille footballer did not convince the leaders of les dogues, who demanded a minimum investment set at 50 million euros.

They can't be compared

Finally, it was Manchester United who fulfilled,  comfortably exceeding the demands of the French club. The transfer of 63 million euros, as well as a higher salary than that offered by Real Madrid, ended up convincing the young French promise to join the club. Since then, the executives led by Florentino Pérez have sought their most reliable alternative.

They would have found it in Dean Huijsen, whose profile is a practically total improvement over the performance offered by Leny Yoro during the last summer transfer market. Not only for the purely football-related issues, but because Dean Huijsen has received more experience in the European elite.

That would have been one of the reasons that led Real Madrid to keep firm in the proposal of 40 million euros to solve the 'Yoro case'... while it would have been key in the payment of the release clause of the new Madrid central defender. Dean Huijsen has shown in the Premier League, one of the most competitive leagues of the five major ones in the world, that he has great level and excellent potential.

That's why Huijsen himself is now part of Santiago Bernabéu locker room, while Leny Yoro anchors himself for many years to the sports project of the red devils. The central defender dilemma seems to be properly solved, a year after the fiasco in the operation to sign a footballer who doesn't have the same trajectory as Dean Huijsen.