Andoni Iraola admits a part of him would be ‘happy’ to see Dean Huijsen leave Bournemouth to join Real Madrid.
Huijsen has been nothing short of a revelation since swapping Juventus for Bournemouth last summer, establishing himself as one of the most promising young centre-backs in world football.
The 20-year-old will no doubt be desperate to end his debut season on a high at the Vitality Stadium, with the Cherries facing Manchester City and Leicester in their last two remaining matches.
But there is mounting speculation that Huijsen will soon be set for the exit door at Bournemouth, as Europe’s elite battle it out to capture the defender’s services.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all been credited with a strong interest in signing Huijsen in recent weeks, but the latest reports suggest Real Madrid have muscled their way to their front of the queue.
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It’s understood Madrid are ready to pay Huijsen’s £50million release clause in full and the La Liga giants are close to agreeing personal terms with the Spain international.
Asked if he would give Huijsen any advice over a proposed move to the Bernabeu, Iraola told The Sports Agents: ‘If they need my help, I will try to assist them and I will try to give them my opinion, obviously.
‘There is a part that also you are happy.
‘If this move happens, you appreciate also how we’ve been able to help these players in this process and help them make such a big move.
‘It’s also good for the other players to know that, how big a jump [they can make].’
Iraola underlined that Bournemouth could only be used as a stepping stone for bigger and better things if the player in question applies himself in the right way.
‘The problem is that you have to perform!’ Iraola explained.
‘That’s the most important thing for us, what they do while they are with us, and Dean has been fantastic.’
Huijsen has been eager to block out the noise over his future, with tenth-placed Bournemouth still in a battle for European football.
‘I think I’m pretty relaxed. I’m just a chill guy, just as my celebration is,’ the youngster told Sky Sports following his impressive performance in Bournemouth’s recent win over Arsenal.
‘I don’t really think about it too much. I just go to training every morning.
‘We have a great group, great staff, great everything at the club and I just enjoy my football, enjoy myself.
‘At the moment, I’m just having fun playing football and, yeah, it’s going well so I’m really happy.’
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