Liverpool handed Chelsea complication as top two transfer targets identified

have been handed a set-back in their attempts to sign Dean Huijsen, with reportedly making contact with the defender. The 19-year-old has been one of the standout players of the season and is set to have a number of teams chasing him this summer.

Huijsen looks to have a bright future and are one of the teams said to be chasing the teenager - especially given that Virgil van Dijk's future remains up in the air as he approaches the end of his contract.

But Liverpool could have serious competition after reports from Spanish outlet that Chelsea boss has personally made contact with Huijsen over a move to Stamford Bridge.

The report adds that a new defender who can play at centre-back and full-back is a "clear priority" for the Blues, who have also been monitoring Barcelona's Jules Kounde.

Chelsea were strongly linked with Kounde in 2022, before he joined , and see him as a priority signing this summer above Huijsen as the more experienced and accomplished defender.

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It adds that Huijsen, who has a contract until 2030 remains a key target, has a £50m release clause in his deal.

He has been one of the signings of the season after arriving from for around £13million and a further report from has claimed that Chelsea and Liverpool are being rivalled by and in the race to sign him.

The same report claims Bournemouth signed him last season with the promise of showcasing himself in the Premier League and were resigned to losing him - believing he will go on to become one of the top three centre-backs in football.

He would be a good fit for Chelsea given their injury woes after losing Wesley Fofana, while they have a lack of strong candidates to play alongside Levi Colwill.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will have to plan for the future even if Van Dijk does sign a new contract - with the Dutchman turning 34 this summer. Real Madrid, meanwhile, want to look to the future with centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba both 32.

Huijsen has gone from strength to strength under boss Andoni Iraola, who said he was not surprised to learn he had made his debut for the Spain national team in the international break.

"Obviously, he has improved because he now has more experience," he said. "He has faced very difficult forwards, but we received already a very good player when he came in the summer."

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