Premier League leaders Arsenal have been linked with Juventus defender Dean Huijsen but, speaking to Voetbal Zone, the teenage defender has confirmed that he has agreed a new contract at the Serie A giants.
Once upon a time, the Netherlands were renowned worldwide for bringing through some of the most exciting attacking talent around. Now, however, the Dutch national team are becoming famed for their stoppers rather than their scorers.
In Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt, Nathan Ake, and Stefan de Vrij, Ronald Koeman has some of Europe’s finest centre-halves at his disposal. And, for that matter, one of the most promising too.
17-year-old Huijsen, a 6ft 5ins colossus of seemingly limitless potential, is set for a long-term stay at Juventus despite interest from the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and even Real Madrid.
Arsenal target Dean Huijsen commits his future to Juventus
“Would you like to congratulate me on my contract extension?” Huijsen smiles. “It has not been signed yet, but we have already agreed on a date. So you can actually congratulate me, yes!
“The intention is that I will either find my place in the first-team next season, or that I will be loaned out to a club in Serie A or Serie B in order to get minutes.
“I’m actually in a really good place here. I therefore think it makes no sense to change clubs. (Juventus) have a clear plan with me regarding the step up to the first team.
“Besides, you never know (what can happen) when you leave. How will it go?”
Arsenal, per Calciomercato, are big fans of Huijsen.
The one-time Malaga starlet has already been praised publicly by Max Allegri, the Juventus coach highlighting a blend of physicality and technical-ability which has some likening Huijsen to a young Van Dijk.
Allegri, one assumes, will be delighted to learn that Huijsen is signing a new deal until the summer of 2027.
“First of all, Italy is of course really well known for the defenders. I thought I could learn a lot there, and I did,” Huijsen adds; explaining why he chose Juventus over Real Madrid back in 2021.
“In Spain, you play against both amateur and professional clubs in the youth teams. In Italy, it is different. All the teams there are professional. The opponents there are of a higher level. That was my thinking to ultimately choose Juventus.”
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