Chelsea plot £46m bid for Liverpool target after missing out on Dean Huijsen

Chelsea are now plotting an offer to rival Liverpool and PSG for the signing of a star centre-back, after they missed out on a deal for widely reported Dean Huijsen, who’s joining Real Madrid.

Real Madrid seal Dean Huijsen agreement in blow for Chelsea

Before the 20-year-old agreed his dream move to the Bernabeu, Chelsea were believed to be top contenders in the race for Huijsen.

Related

Chelsea readying huge £70m bid to sign their new version of Mason Mount

Chelsea are reportedly ready to pay the release clause for a star who could be Mason Mount 2.0.

Reliable reports from the start of May indicated that Chelsea made Huijsen a “strong” offer to join them after holding productive talks with the defender’s representatives (Simon Phillips), and they were apparently ready to hand him a “lucrative” seven-year contract (TEAMtalk).

At one point, Chelsea were convinced that Huijsen would make the move to Stamford Bridge, but that dream has now been quashed by Real’s advances for the ex-Juventus starlet.

Los Blancos have agreed to pay Huijsen’s £50 million release clause, and this season will officially be his last in the Premier League as he nears a return to his homeland, despite eagerness from the division’s top sides to keep him in England.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, commenting on Huijsen’s impending move to the Spanish capital, expressed his delight for the centre-half.

“Obviously, from my point of view, you never want to lose this type of player because he’s been so good for us,” said Iraola.

“But there’s also a part where you feel happy for him, because he’s going to Real Madrid. I think that’s what he really wanted to do. And obviously, we hope everything goes well for him.”

For Chelsea, it is back to the drawing board for BlueCo, who remain keen on strengthening Enzo Maresca’s back line with a key addition at the heart of his defence.

It’s long been reported that Chelsea want a new centre-back as one of their main transfer priorities. Defensive trio Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah have all been linked with summer departures from Cobham, and some reports in France even state that Chelsea could consider selling Wesley Fofana.

Chelsea plot £46m bid for Benfica defender Tomas Araujo

Taking this into account, Maresca’s side are still firmly in the market for another defender, with Benfica star Tomas Araujo now climbing up the shortlist after Huijsen’s switch to Madrid.

According to Chelsea News, they were in for the Portugal international last summer, but Chelsea ultimately didn’t come close enough to his £67 million release clause.

However, that interest remains, and Chelsea are considering a bid worth up to £46 million for Araujo. That being said, both Liverpool and PSG are also keen on signing the 23-year-old, so they’ll face stiff competition akin to the race for Huijsen.

It is little surprise that is the case, either, with Araujo drawing comparisons to Barcelona legend Gerard Pique.

“Tomas Araujo is a modern defender, with solid build-up play and the ability to defend the area, while also possessing good anticipation and ball control,” wrote Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

“Tomas Araujo is like a Portuguese Gerard Pique. Therefore, it’s no surprise that several Premier League teams have picked up the phone to inquire about his services.”