Andoni Iraola reveals how Dean Huijsen has reacted to Chelsea transfer rumours

Andoni Iraola says the noise and speculation over Dean Huijsen’s future has not affected the Bournemouth defender in the slightest and the youngster is fully focused on seeing out a strong end to the season.

Huijsen has been nothing short of a revelation since arriving on the south coast from Juventus last summer, with the 20-year-old cementing his reputation as one of the most promising young centre-backs in European football.

On Sunday, Huijsen is in line to make his 30th appearance of the campaign for the Cherries and the Spaniard will once again be looking to make a strong impression at home to Ruben Amorim’s struggling Manchester United.

Huijsen’s performances have not gone unnoticed amongst the Premier League’s elite, with Chelsea reportedly leading Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign the centre-half when the transfer window opens for business.

La Liga giants Real Madrid are expected to provide fierce competition for Huijsen, who has a £50million release in his contract at the Vitality Stadium.

Asked how Huijsen had reacted to the incessant transfer talk and gossip, Bournemouth head coach Iraola replied: ‘From what I see every day, training and playing, I don’t think it is affecting him at all.

‘I see him in the same mood that he normally is. He’s training well and I think he’s playing well also.

‘Even being young, this is not something that is strange for him.

‘He’s coming from big teams, even if he wasn’t in the first-team. But he’s coming from Roma, from Juventus, from teams where these things are probably quite natural and I see him quite normal.’

Bournemouth find themselves in eighth ahead of their meeting with Manchester United, with eight points separating them from seventh-placed Aston Villa.

‘We don’t know what’s going to happen or what position will give you access to Europe,’ Iraola said of Bournemouth’s run-in.

‘There are seven teams comfortably ahead of us and three or four teams we are fighting with for a possible spot.

‘We like to think that there is at least one position open but we know it will be difficult because we have a difficult schedule.’

The Bournemouth manager is anticipating a ‘tight game’ versus a United team looking to bounce back from a four-game winless streak in the English top flight.

‘They don’t change their structure a lot. I expect a tight game,’ the Spaniard continued.

‘They defend well and don’t give you a lot of chances so we have to be prepared for the best possible Manchester United team.

‘Thursday [against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League] is important for them, of course, but they will want to beat us on Sunday also and so we have prepared for their strongest starting XI.’

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