Premier League club were 'very close' to signing Dean Huijsen before he brutally ended talks with the club

Bournemouth have sold defender Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid for £50 million but it could have been another Premier League team that snagged his signature.

Real Madrid triggered the Spanish youngster's release clause and have negotiated a transfer in time for him to join them for the Club World Cup in the United States next month.

Amsterdam-born Huijsen moved to Spain with his family as a child and joined Bournemouth from Juventus, where he completed his youth football after leaving Malaga in 2015.

The 20-year-old has been in incredible form for the Cherries in his first and only season in the Premier League.

But Huijsen, apparently a big fan of Segunda Division side Malaga, was initially in talks that would have kept him in England.

According to Marca, the Spain international had several options but was on the brink of agreeing terms with Champions League hopefuls Chelsea.

The Madrid sports newspaper claims that Huijsen had "eight offers on the table" and "was very close" to joining Chelsea but shut down talks when Real Madrid came calling.

After apparently tracking the young defender for several years and almost signing him twice, Los Blancos capitalised on Huijsen's desire to wear "his dream shirt" in the Spanish capital.

Huijsen has signed a five-year contract at the Bernabeu and is expected to make his Real Madrid debut at the Club World Cup after Bournemouth acquiesced to the buyers' request to expedite the move in the imminent extra transfer window.

Xabi Alonso is expected to be confirmed as Real Madrid's new manager (Image: Getty)

The central defender has been a huge part of Bournemouth's success under Andoni Iraola this season, starting 25 times in the Premier League and helping the Cherries to their highest-ever league position.

He ranks among the best in the Premier League for both interceptions and clearances as well as winning hordes of admirers with his classy play on the ball.

Bournemouth signed him last summer for a fee in the region of £12.75 million and have made a handsome profit, losing a tremendous talent but strengthening their PSR position in the space of one season.

Both they and Chelsea will be among the clubs desperately keen to find the next Huijsen this summer.