The transfer market is heating up as two of Europe’s footballing giants, Real Madrid and Manchester City, set their sights on emerging talents to bolster their squads. Real Madrid are ramping up their efforts to secure Bournemouth’s promising defender Dean Huijsen, while Manchester City have identified AC Milan’s standout midfielder Tijjani Reijnders as a key target for the summer window.
Real Madrid’s interest in Dean Huijsen shows no signs of waning as the Spanish powerhouse continues to apply pressure on the 19-year-old center-back. Huijsen, who has been a revelation at Bournemouth since joining from Juventus last summer for €15 million, has caught the eye of Los Blancos with his commanding performances in the Premier League. Standing at 6’6”, the dual Spanish-Dutch national combines physicality with technical finesse, making him an ideal fit for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, which has been plagued by defensive injuries this season.
Reports indicate that Real Madrid scouts have been a regular presence at Bournemouth matches, with the club viewing Huijsen as a long-term solution to their backline woes. David Alaba’s prolonged absence and Eder Militao’s recent ACL injury have exposed vulnerabilities, prompting the club to prioritize defensive reinforcements. Huijsen’s recent call-up to Spain’s senior national team has only heightened Madrid’s resolve, with sources suggesting they are prepared to negotiate a fee around €35 million—below his £50 million release clause, which activates in July.
However, Real Madrid face stiff competition. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have also been linked with Huijsen, who once turned down an offer from Madrid in 2021 to join Juventus. His father and agent, Donny Huijsen, has remained tight-lipped on the speculation, but the teenager’s meteoric rise and expressed affinity for Spain—“Spain is my home, I feel Spanish,” he recently told Marca—could tilt the scales in Madrid’s favor. As the summer approaches, the battle for Huijsen’s signature promises to be one of the transfer window’s most fiercely contested sagas.
Meanwhile, across the continent, Manchester City are intensifying their pursuit of AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders, a versatile Dutch midfielder who has emerged as one of Serie A’s brightest stars. With Pep Guardiola’s side facing an uncertain future in midfield—Kevin De Bruyne’s contract expires in 2025 and both Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic have been linked with exits—Reijnders has risen to the top of City’s wishlist.
The 26-year-old has been a revelation at Milan since his €20 million move from AZ Alkmaar in 2023, contributing 18 goals and 11 assists in 95 appearances. This season alone, he has notched 14 goals across all competitions, showcasing his ability to blend defensive tenacity with attacking flair. His standout performance in Milan’s 3-1 Champions League victory over Real Madrid in November—where he scored the decisive third goal—reportedly caught Guardiola’s attention, cementing his status as a priority target.
City’s interest comes at a critical juncture. Sources suggest the club is prepared to raise their initial €50 million budget to €60 million to secure Reijnders, though Milan’s recent contract extension with the midfielder until 2030 complicates matters. The Rossoneri have no release clause in his deal, giving them a strong negotiating position, and they are determined to retain their talisman unless an “extraordinary offer” arrives. However, Milan’s potential failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League could weaken their resolve, opening the door for City to strike.
Guardiola sees Reijnders as an ideal successor to De Bruyne, valuing his adaptability across midfield roles and his knack for delivering in big moments. With Barcelona and Real Madrid also reportedly in the race, City’s recruitment team, soon to be led by incoming director of football Hugo Viana, will need to act decisively to fend off rivals.