Real Madrid have been in shambles defensively pretty much from the moment the season kicked off. They were already vulnerable at the back after another summer of zero signings for the back four, and after season-ending injuries to right back Dani Carvajal and another to center back Eder Militao, their fate as a slice of Swiss cheese was effectively sealed.
Although Real Madrid were more competitive against Barcelona, they still gave up three goals and didn't put together a convincing defensive performance. Their only reenforcement this season was the return of David Alaba from his ACL tear and a prolonged comeback course, but he's been so putrid that it would be an upset if he remained at the club beyond 2025.
Real Madrid have unearthed a young star in Raul Asencio, and Joan Martinez, who tore his own ACL at the beginning of the season, is one of a few other Castilla standouts ready to be a factor in the future. But with Alaba and Antonio Rudiger declining and then Militao coming off two ACL tears, Real Madrid quite obviously need to sign another center back.
Dean Huijsen wants Real Madrid over the rest
The standout option is, by far, young Spanish international Dean Huijsen. Bournemouth's breakout star at the back, Huijsen has been one of the best center backs in the Premier League this season, and a whole host of English clubs are lining up to sign him this summer. So it won't be easy for Real Madrid to nab him, but, really, all they have to do is pay his 50 million pound release clause and convince him that they are a better landing spot than the others.
According to a report from Sky Sports's Kaveh Solhekol, that may not be so hard, because Dean Huijsen reportedly prioritizes Real Madrid as his next destination if the Merengue club were to make an official offer to Bournemouth and him.
Huijsen is 20 years old, plays for the Spanish national team, and has been world-class this season for Bournemouth in their hopes for European football. What more could Real Madrid want? Just about the only major weakness for Madrid is his paradoxical lack of aerial ability defensively despite his height, but his man-marking and technical qualities are top-notch.
Real Madrid need a center back and, by far, the most in-demand young defender on the market wants to join them above the likes of Newcastle, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Florentino Perez would have to be raving mad not to give his next manager this signing and set him up for failure with a sub-standard defense. This move is the easy one to make, much moreso than Leny Yoro was last year.