Chelsea now the favourites in the race to sign £50m Premier League wonderkid

Chelsea are reportedly now being viewed as the favourites to sign Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen this summer.

Bournemouth inserted a £50m release clause into Huijsen's contract when signing the defender from Juventus last year, and a host of Premier League clubs are lining up to activate it.

Huijsen has shone in the Premier League for Bournemouth this season, with fans and pundits blown away by the teenager's aerial ability, composure on the ball and reading of the game.

In fact, Huijsen has been so impressive that several top Premier League clubs, as well as sides in Europe, are now interested in signing him.

Unlike Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo, who of Bournemouth's other players who are attracting interest from top European sides, Huijsen has a release clause in his contract with Andoni Ireola's side.

That means that clubs know they need to pay £50m to secure Huijsen's services, which considering his potential and ability at present, could end up being viewed as a bargain in years to come.

The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea are said to be interested in Huijsen, as are Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but the Spaniard is said to favour a move within the Premier League.

As noted, Chelsea are one of the clubs interested in Huijsen, with the Telegraph and the Independent even reporting that the Blues are seen as the defender's most likely destination this summer.

Chelsea, who are the favourites to win the Conference League next month, are said to be the club leading the race for Huijsen at this stance, with the board having a great relationship with the player's agent.

Miguel Delaney said: "Chelsea have taken a lead in the pursuit of Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen as they hope to complete a deal before the Club World Cup. The 19-year-old is understood to now be seriously considering Chelsea, who are one of many major clubs pursuing the centre-back."

A deal looks to be in the offing for Huijsen to move to Stamford Bridge, and it could happen quickly after the Premier League season ends.

Chelsea reportedly want the defender to join the club for the Club World Cup, with the tournament taking place in America over the summer and seeing Enzo Maresca's side as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

As noted, whilst other clubs in the race to sign Huijsen may have had better performances in the Premier League this season, the Spaniard's representatives are close with people in high positions at Chelsea, which could be why they're leading the race to sign him.

Matt Law says: 'There is already a favourable relationship between Chelsea and [Dean] Huijsen's agents."

It's also worth looking at the competition for places at the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, both of whom have world class centre-backs at their disposal already.

Huijsen, and the people close to him, may view a move to Chelsea as one that guarantees more immediate playing time in the Premier League, something he's already getting at Bournemouth.

The hope for Huijsen, if he does join Chelsea, is that the club finish inside the top five this season and secure a spot in next season's Champions League.

Chelsea look set to win the Conference League, which would guarantee them a spot in next season's Europa League, but their performances at the start of this Premier League season may have been enough to see them secure a top five finish and UCL football.

If Huijsen is playing Champions League football for Chelsea next season, then he may be doing so in a competition that undergoes even more format changes with several new ideas reportedly being considered by UEFA.

Ladbrokes has also looked at the price tag that Bournemouth have placed on the head of Milos Kerkez, their star left-back who is said to be attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.