Football
Real Madrid make move to beat Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea to Bournemouth star
Real Madrid have taken a significant step forward in the pursuit of highly-rated Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen by submitting a formal contract offer.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Premier League side from Juventus last summer, has quickly emerged as one of the most promising young centre-backs in Europe.
Since making the move to the south coast, Huijsen has been a standout performer under Andoni Iraola, making 33 appearances across all competitions.
His impressive form has not gone unnoticed, earning him his first two caps for the Spanish national team this season.
As a result, several top English clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, have shown strong interest in signing him. Despite this, a return to Spain appears to be the likeliest outcome.
According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have officially presented a contract proposal to Huijsen and his representatives.
Talks are said to be ongoing, and there is growing optimism in Madrid that a deal could be finalized soon.
Reports in Spain suggest that Huijsen favors a move to the Santiago Bernabéu, a factor that could give the Spanish giants a considerable edge in the race.
Even so, Premier League clubs are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to act if negotiations between Huijsen and Madrid stall. With his stock continuing to rise, the competition for his signature remains fierce.
Real Madrid have previously tried to secure the talented defender, having attempted to sign him from Málaga in 2021.
At the time, Huijsen opted to join Juventus instead, citing the Italian club’s storied history of producing elite defenders as a major factor in his decision.
He made only one senior appearance for the Bianconeri before going out on loan to Roma, eventually sealing a permanent move to Bournemouth.
The Cherries invested an initial £12.8 million for the young defender, with the fee potentially rising to £15.3 million.
That investment now looks to pay off handsomely, as Huijsen’s value has surged. His current contract includes a release clause believed to be set at £50 million, a figure that potential suitors may soon be forced to meet.
Reflecting on his earlier decision to choose Juventus over Madrid, Huijsen explained that he prioritized his development in Italy, a nation known for defensive excellence. He said learning under the legacy of players like Chiellini, Bonucci, and Barzagli shaped his approach to the game.
Nevertheless, Huijsen has always admired Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos, whom he regards as the greatest centre-back in history due to his leadership, defensive aggression, and knack for scoring crucial goals.
Huijsen made his international debut for Spain against the Netherlands in March, capping off a remarkable season of growth.
As the summer transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on the young Spaniard’s next move. Real Madrid remain in pole position, but the coming weeks could be pivotal in determining where the rising star continues his career.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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