Real Madrid are exuding increasing confidence that they will win the fiercely contested race to sign Bournemouth's highly-coveted defender, Dean Huijsen, according to the latest reports. The Spanish giants appear to have moved into pole position, potentially leaving Premier League rivals Chelsea trailing in their wake for the signature of the talented 20-year-old.

Huijsen's stellar debut season at Bournemouth, following his summer arrival from Juventus, has catapulted him onto the radar of Europe's elite. His commanding presence and maturity in the heart of the Cherries' defense have not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool all credited with strong interest. However, it now seems that Real Madrid have significantly upped the ante.

Multiple sources indicate that Real Madrid have intensified their discussions with Huijsen's representatives and are growing optimistic about securing his services. A key factor in their confidence is reportedly their willingness to offer the young Spanish international a more financially attractive package than Chelsea.

Furthermore, the structure of Huijsen's release clause, understood to be around £50 million (€58 million or $66 million), is also believed to favor Real Madrid. Crucially, this fee can reportedly be paid in installments, aligning well with the Spanish club's financial strategy.

Perhaps the most compelling draw for Huijsen is the looming prospect of playing under the legendary Xabi Alonso, who is widely tipped to take the reins as the new Real Madrid manager. 
The opportunity to learn from and play for such an iconic figure at one of the world's most prestigious clubs is understood to be a significant lure for the young defender. Reports even suggest that Huijsen himself, and potentially his father, would favor a move to the Santiago Bernabéu if a deal can be struck with Bournemouth.

While Real Madrid's optimism is palpable, Chelsea will undoubtedly be disappointed by this turn of events. The Blues, under their new manager Enzo Maresca, are eager to reinforce their defensive line with young talent and had seemingly positioned themselves as front-runners for Huijsen. However, they now face a serious battle to convince the defender that his future lies at Stamford Bridge.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are bracing themselves for Huijsen's departure after just one impressive season. Having signed him from Juventus, they are set to make a substantial profit on the highly-rated centre-back.

Should Chelsea ultimately lose out on Huijsen, they will likely pivot to other defensive targets on their shortlist. Names like Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Ajax's Jorrel Hato have been previously linked with the club.

The coming weeks promise to be decisive in the Dean Huijsen transfer saga. While Real Madrid's growing confidence suggests they hold the upper hand, Chelsea will be hoping they can still pull off a late coup and secure the signature of this in-demand young talent.

The allure of the Bernabéu and the prospect of working with Xabi Alonso, however, appear to be a powerful combination that Real Madrid are increasingly confident will see Dean Huijsen don the famous white jersey.