David Ornstein Confirms Liverpool Have ‘Held Talks’ with £50m Premier League Star | OneFootball

Dean Huijsen Talks Heat Up as Liverpool Target £50m Centre-Back Reinforcement

Liverpool’s Next Big Defensive Move?

Liverpool’s recruitment machine is quietly whirring back into gear, and the next key component might already be within the Premier League. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Reds are firmly in the race for Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen—a 19-year-old centre-back whose stock has soared after a standout season on the South Coast.

Huijsen, signed by Bournemouth from Juventus for £15 million last summer, has been one of the Premier League’s breakout stars. Comfortable on the ball, aggressive in duels, and tactically intelligent beyond his years, the Spain youth international has made 29 appearances this campaign and helped the Cherries mount an unexpected push for European qualification.

The price tag? £50 million—a clause that could be triggered quickly in a summer market expected to move at pace.

Real Madrid Out, Premier League Giants Circle

While Real Madrid’s historic pull once loomed large over Huijsen’s future, Ornstein reports that “it looks most probable he will join another Premier League club.” That shifts the focus firmly back to England, where Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham are all actively engaged.

Ornstein notes: “I now understand that Liverpool are among the clubs with a firm interest in Dean Huijsen… I believe they have all held meetings or conversations with Huijsen’s camp in the last week but I’m not aware of offers being made just yet.”

This signals a crucial moment for Liverpool’s recruitment team, who may see Huijsen as more than just a squad addition. He could be a long-term starter—and maybe sooner than expected.

Konaté’s Future Adds Weight to Huijsen Pursuit

One of the more eye-catching elements of Ornstein’s piece is the suggestion that Huijsen’s arrival might spell trouble for Ibrahima Konaté.

“Maybe their consideration is influenced by the lack of developments so far on Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation and you imagine Huijsen would have a good chance of starting alongside Virgil van Dijk if he was signed.”

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This would be no small shift. Konaté has shown flashes of world-class defending since his arrival, but injuries and inconsistency have limited his reliability. At 25, he’s at a point where contract clarity should be forthcoming. The fact that it’s not may have accelerated Liverpool’s push for alternatives.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Dean Huijsen would be an exciting signing—and perhaps an essential one. With Virgil van Dijk entering the twilight of his peak years and Ibrahima Konaté’s long-term future still uncertain, Liverpool need to be proactive rather than reactive.

At 19, Huijsen brings top-level potential already seasoned with Premier League experience. He’s not a project in need of years of development; he’s a player ready to contribute immediately, with ceiling to grow. At £50 million, that sounds like smart business in this climate, especially if the club sees him as a potential leader in the next generation of defenders.

The fact that top clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea are circling adds weight to his quality, but Liverpool’s track record of executing early and decisive moves gives them a real chance.

The idea of a Van Dijk-Huijsen axis is appealing, as is a long term partnership of Konate and Huijsen. If Liverpool pull this off, it’ll be one of the summer’s smartest moves.