(Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Arsenal and Liverpool are currently leading the chase for highly rated centre-back Dean Huijsen, with a decision on his future expected very soon. The talented defender is being closely monitored by a number of top European clubs, but it is the Premier League duo who have emerged in pole position as talks progress behind the scenes.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Real Madrid remain keen on Huijsen and are yet to be ruled out entirely. However, the current momentum appears to be with the English clubs, who are believed to have made their intentions clear as they look to strengthen their respective squads ahead of the summer window.

Bayern fall behind in Huijsen pursuit

While Bayern Munich had also been in the conversation, their chances of securing Huijsen’s signature now appear slim. As reported Plettenberg, a move to the Bundesliga giants is considered unlikely at this stage, primarily due to timing and financial constraints.

To proceed with any deal for Huijsen, Bayern would need to sell players first. That has not happened yet, which has forced them to shift their focus elsewhere. As a result, attention in Munich has turned to Jonathan Tah, who is available as a free agent and therefore represents a more immediate and cost-effective solution.

Flexible payment structure could encourage bids

Huijsen’s release clause stands at £50 million, or €58 million, but there is an important detail that could influence negotiations. As previously revealed, the clause can be activated through a payment structure of three instalments. This flexibility could be an attractive option for interested clubs seeking to manage their summer spending more efficiently.

Arsenal and Liverpool are now weighing up their final approach as the defender considers his options. With Real Madrid still watching developments and Bayern moving in a different direction, it appears increasingly likely that the next stage of Huijsen’s career could be with Arsenal or Liverpool in the Premier League.

A decision is expected soon, with all eyes now on whether Arsenal or Liverpool can get the deal over the line.

_________________________________________________________________________________

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Steelers fans finally learn truth about what went down with George Pickens
Steelers continuing to gain momentum toward a huge blockbuster WR trade with Packers
Three-time All-Star announces retirement from baseball
Led by Julius Randle, Wolves top Warriors to clinch series
Watch: Unlikely hero sends Oilers to Western Conference Final
Derrick Henry, Ravens agree on historic contract extension
Ben Roethlisberger has big request for Aaron Rodgers amid Steelers' springtime workouts
Watch: Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo 'ejects' umpires during incredible meltdown
Rory McIlroy responds to complaint Bryson DeChambeau had about him
Celtics run away from Knicks in Game 5 to stave off elimination
Maple Leafs get humiliated in dreadful Game 5 performance
Jayson Tatum provides defiant message to NBA legend after Achilles surgery
NASCAR star jokes about becoming biggest 'villain' in sport
Unfortunate pit road incident with Chase Elliott leaves Chad Knaus unfazed, points to silver lining for the Hendrick driver
Warriors' Draymond Green fined $50K by NBA
Raiders part ways with multiple players, pair of recent draftees
Derek Carr's brother addresses talk of QB potentially playing again
Yankees announce severity of Oswaldo Cabrera's injury
LeBron James rips peers who labeled Tyrese Haliburton 'overrated'
MLB announces huge news about Pete Rose, 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.