It may feel a little cynical. A little predatory perhaps. But the news of yet another Everton points deduction may have had some at Manchester United licking their lips and rubbing their hands.
Everton’s precarious financial situation meant The Toffees were already likely to face a challenging hanging onto Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. Relegation – Sean Dyche’s are now two points closer to that – and the man reportedly identified as Manchester United’s number one centre-back target will definitely be on his way.
But if Branthwaite is target number one, where does Dean Huijsen rank? Juventus’ Roma loanee has not been mentioned with as much regularity as, say, Giorgio Scalvini, Leny Yoro, Antonio Silva or Goncalo Inacio.
But the 18-year-old’s stellar performances at the Giallorrosi – Roma a team reborn since his arrival and the sacking of Jose Mourinho – have seen Huijsen’s name emerge in conjunction with the many European giants in pursuit of talented young centre-halves.
Manchester United eye Dean Huijsen
Per Gazzetta Dello Sport in February, Man United are interested. And a Juventus side who have had to contend with points deductions of their own in recent times may be tempted to cash in, provided they receive an offer in excess of £25 million.
“I think he is doing very well,” the former Netherlands international Youri Mulder tells Ziggo Sport. “(Huijsen is) a very big talent because he is very dynamic.”
Huijsen may be only 18 but, at 6ft 5ins, the teenager already looks like the prototype of your typical modern-day centre-half. He is not only a massive presence in the air, but also as smooth as silk with the ball at his feet. Huijsen has two Roma goals already too, including a stunner against Frosinone thumped home after a trademark striding run into midfield.
The only disappointment for Mulder is that the one-time Arsenal target appears to be intent on representing Spain, rather than the Dutch, at international level. Huijsen, he says, would have been the ideal long-term successor for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
“His timing is very good. He can also head very well and, for his height, he is agile and fast. He has calmness on the ball,” Mulder adds. “(Huijsen) could absolutely have been Van Dijk’s replacement for the Dutch national team in the long term.”
Red Devils’ defensive overhaul begins
Man United, per Fabrizio Romano, are not ruling out the prospect of signing two new centre-backs this summer. Should Raphael Varane depart as well as a Harry Maguire or a Victor Lindelof – Jonny Evans’ future is also uncertain – it is not out of the question that United could bring in both Branthwaite and Huijsen.
“Huijsen is becoming more and more mature. He does a lot. He’s very smart,” Daniele de Rossi, Mourinho’s Roma replacement tells, ESPN, all the while insisting that the one-time Malaga wonderkid would benefit to learn the dark arts of ‘Catenaccio’.
“He doesn’t look 18-years-old on the field. He knows what he is doing. But sometimes a little too well. (Huijsen) is good with the ball at his feet, but sometimes a little too calm.
“I think he needs to learn some more ‘Italian tricks’ in his own box. If he does that, he will become one of the best players in the world.”