Jose Mourinho’s verdict on Man Utd’s £50m transfer target that says it all

Jose Mourinho has already voiced his opinion on Manchester United's summer target, Dean Huijsen, as the Red Devils gear up for a major squad revamp under Ruben Amorim. Despite taking over from Erik ten Hag last November, Amorim has struggled to spark life into the team, leaving them in a dismal 13th place and facing the prospect of their worst-ever Premier League finish.

With the transfer window looming, Old Trafford chiefs are reportedly ready to shed underperforming stars and inject fresh talent that aligns with Amorim's preferred 3-4-3 formation for the 2025/26 season. Among the hot prospects linked with United is 19-year-old Bournemouth defender Huijsen, who earned high praise from ex-United manager Mourinho. Reflecting on his time with the Spain international at Roma, Mourinho said: "Dean Huijsen has 10 minutes of football in the Serie A, but he's one of the biggest prospects in football.

"He will be a very great player in the future." Huijsen climbed through Juventus' Next Generation squad in 2023 before joining Roma on a six-month loan stint in January, reports the Mirror. After a brief spell with the Serie A outfit, where he made 14 outings, Huijsen returned to his main squad before Bournemouth secured him for a savvy £12.8 million last summer.

Shining brightly throughout the current campaign, Huijsen has clocked up 27 matches and has been instrumental in the Cherries' astounding push for European competition. Signed on a six-year deal at the Vitality Stadium lasting until July 2030, Huijsen's contract intriguingly is said to include a whopping £50 million release clause - a detail that could catch the eyes of big clubs like Manchester United.

However, the Red Devils aren't alone in their pursuit, with titans such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Liverpool also reportedly keeping tabs on the young defender's progress. And current Roma boss Daniele De Rossi has also praised Huijsen's potential, touching on his increasing maturity last year.

De Rossi said: "Huijsen is becoming more and more mature. He does a lot. He's very smart. 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."