1 week Ago By [email protected] (Hannah Pinnock)
Liverpool have a crucial few weeks ahead as they close in on the 2024/25 Premier League title, with just 11 points required from their final seven games to get over the line. Arne Slot 's side are 11 points clear of Arsenal in the standings following last week's shock defeat to Fulham, but the healthy gap over their rivals gives little reason for panic. The Reds still have some big games to come, including the visits of Tottenham and Arsenal at Anfield, as well as a trip to Stamford Bridge.
This summer is also set to be hugely important for the head coach as he looks to make his mark on the squad he inherited, which has remained largely unchanged since Jurgen Klopp ’s departure at the end of last season. All being well, Liverpool will be building from a position of strength as Premier League champions. Alan Shearer makes Mohamed Salah prediction Liverpool will love after contract decision Alexis Mac Allister Real Madrid question as Liverpool change contract focus after Mohamed Salah One of the key names linked with the Reds ahead of the summer is Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.
The 19-year-old centre-back isn’t the only player from the south coast club tipped for a move to Anfield, with his team-mate Milos Kerkez also reportedly on Liverpool’s radar, but Huijsen’s £50 million release clause makes him a particularly intriguing prospect ahead of the transfer window. According to The Athletic , Liverpool are among the clubs showing strong interest in the Spain international, alongside Arsenal and Chelsea. Meetings with Huijsen’s representatives have taken place in recent weeks, but no clear frontrunner for his signature has yet emerged.
Despite widespread reports linking Real Madrid, who are typically the standout destination for a rising talent of Huijsen’s calibre, the report adds that the La Liga giants are not actively pursuing a deal to bring the teenager to the Bernabeu, with a Premier League move now appearing the more likely outcome. So, should Liverpool move quickly and take advantage of Huijsen’s release clause this summer, here’s a look at what Slot’s dream defence could look like next season if a deal is completed. The current state With growing confidence that Virgil van Dijk will join Mohamed Salah in signing a two-year contract extension at Liverpool, there is no obvious place in the starting XI for Huijsen, which could make the club a hard sell for the teenager, who will be desperate for regular game time.
Ibrahima Konate will enter the final year of his contract next season and is yet to move closer to signing an extension, which could explain Liverpool’s interest in Huijsen. However, question marks remain over the futures of Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah , with the latter reportedly a target for Newcastle United despite signing a new deal at the start of the season. Regardless, whether Huijsen would arrive as back-up to Konate or as strong competition remains to be seen.
The full-back positions are also up in the air, given the uncertainty over Trent Alexander-Arnold ’s future at the club. There are also doubts over the long-term suitability of both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas . Dream defence Conor Bradley is the standout candidate to replace Alexander-Arnold at right-back, regardless of who else is added to the squad.
On the left, Milos Kerkez is certainly attracting plenty of attention, but Robertson still has a year remaining on his contract and is expected to remain part of the squad next season. Once confirmation of Van Dijk’s extension arrives, it’s unlikely the club will have committed significant wages without the intention of playing him regularly, so the captain will retain his place as the left-sided centre-back. That would leave Huijsen to compete with Konate for the right-sided role, with one of Gomez or Quansah likely to be sold.
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