Latest developments
- Manchester United are interested in Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen.
- Liverpool and Chelsea are monitoring the young Spaniard.
- The defender joined the Cherries in the summer from Juventus.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (2/5): Lack of source substance
Man Utd are keen on signing impressive Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen to bolster their defence for the rest of the campaign.
This story has been picked up by caughtoffside.com after initial reports from Italy earlier this week, though there seems no real link to either club.
Value (2/5) Cherries will have big demands
It was a surprise to see Bournemouth land the 19-year-old for £12.6 million after a successful loan at Roma and much interest from clubs such as Liverpool.
He has since become a regular starter and scored twice in the league so far. Under contract until 2030, the Cherries would likely want at least double his current valuation of £14.9 million to part with a prize asset to a fellow European challenger.
Suitability (4/5): Matching his experience
Coming through at Juve before his Roma loan, Huijsen knows what it takes to play for European royalty, while he has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, thus United marries his experiences.
At home in a back four, he has little experience in a back three, which Ruben Amorim prefers, yet his mix confidence on the ball and youth should allow him to adapt.
Upgrade? (3.5/5): Plenty of competition
Man Utd currently have six centre-backs on their books, yet half of those are not part of Amorim's long-term plans, while there have been rumours of Lisandro Martinez leaving the club.
Should Martinez stay, then he, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro will provide healthy competition, yet if Huijsen's upward trajectory continues, he could still get plenty of minutes in a United shirt.
Logic (2/5): United a step down?
The Red Devils will be able to offer bigger wages than Bournemouth, but looking at the table, one could argue that Man Utd is a step down from Andoni Iraola's high-flying Bournemouth.
That may not be the case for long, but it will be a while before United are back at the level of Huijsen's other suitors, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Whisper+ verdict: 13.5/25
Bournemouth might not be able to hold onto Huijsen for long, but Liverpool and Chelsea are much more logical options for now.
