Real Madrid News
Huijsen medical successfully completed, contract signed as Real Madrid move nears
It is only a matter of time before Real Madrid make the signing of Dean Huijsen from AFC Bournemouth official.
The 20-year-old had become the Merengues’ top target for the centre-back position and the club had been eager to bring him through the doors in time for the FIFA Club World Cup starting next month.
Now, everything is on track for Huijsen to complete his transfer to the Santiago Bernabeu, with only an official announcement pending.
Medicals passed, contract signed
Indeed, according to Fabrizio Romano, Huijsen has already completed his medical and successfully passed it last evening in London.
The Italian journalist also reports that the the Spanish international has now signed his contract with Real Madrid to complete all the formalities on his end before the move is announced.
Real Madrid and AFC Bournemouth have already agreed a transfer for the youngster with Los Blancos set to pay his £50 million release clause in instalments.
Now, with Huijsen completing his medicals successfully and signing his contract, everything is in order for him to join the Spanish heavyweights in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in June.
The 20-year-old former Juventus starlet has signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid which will run until the summer of 2030.
Reports suggest that he will be on an annual salary worth £7.5 million (€9 million) which can rise up to £9 million (€11 million) based on performances.
With Huijsen’s arrival all but secured, Real Madrid will focus on negotiating an early release for Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool while also working on closing the signing of Alvaro Carreras from SL Benfica.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
