Chelsea may still have a slim opportunity to land in-demand Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen but time is ticking.
The 20-year-old is currently in discussions over a potential move to Real Madrid. According to reports, Huijsen is hoping to finalise personal terms with the Spanish giants by the end of the week.
However, if talks with Madrid stall or fail to reach an agreement, the door could reopen for several European clubs – including Chelsea – to make a move.
While Real Madrid remain frontrunners, the race isn’t over. Sources close to the situation suggest that clubs such as Chelsea, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Tottenham are all monitoring the situation closely.
Each of these clubs is prepared to pounce should negotiations with Los Blancos collapse or drag on beyond the player’s preferred timeline.
For Chelsea, the interest in Huijsen fits their strategy of investing in young, high-potential talent with long-term upside.
Though the Blues are currently well-stocked in central defence, Huijsen’s technical ability, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence make him an attractive prospect for the future.
Huijsen’s desire for clarity on his future has added urgency to the situation.
If Real Madrid are unable to meet his terms, even by a narrow margin, Chelsea could find themselves with an unexpected opening.