Newcastle seriously impressed £50m player during transfer talks but he’s now chosen Real Madrid

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Newcastle United have already missed out on one major transfer target.

It has been confirmed that Real Madrid are signing Dean Huijsen, with Los Blancos agreeing to pay Bournemouth £50million for the talented centre-back.

His release clause has been activated, as Dean Huijsen takes his talents to Spain after an impressive debut year in the Premier League.

The 20-year-old’s performances at Bournemouth won him a lot of suitors, one of which was Newcastle United.

Newcastle United spoke to Huijsen about a move to St James’ Park, but it is Real Madrid who have won the race to sign him.

How Newcastle United impressed Dean Huijsen

However, that is not to say Huijsen was not intrigued by the Magpies’ pitch.

According to the Athletic, those close to Huijsen were impressed by Newcastle United’s approach to sign the defender.

The Athletic add that Newcastle’s diligence and professionalism went down well, with the Magpies having targeted Huijsen for more than a year.

Huijsen was linked with Newcastle heading into the 2024 summer transfer window, only for Bournemouth to strike a deal.

Now he is heading to Real Madrid, with the Athletic noting that Xabi Alonso requested that his new employers add him to his squad.

Alonso is set to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager this summer.

Newcastle United reignite interest in 2024 targets

Newcastle knew signing Huijsen would be difficult.

Given the level of interest in him and the looming threat of a swoop from Real Madrid, it was always going to be a challenge to bring him to St James’ Park.

That is why Newcastle have been looking at alternatives, as Paul Mitchell prepares to add a new centre-back to Eddie Howe’s squad.

• Every player linked with Newcastle in summer transfer window: Latest news and prices on Eddie Howe’s targets

The Newcastle United sporting director could even revisit old targets after the Magpies failed to address their defensive problem during the previous two transfer windows.

Geordie Boot Boys understand that Marc Guehi is a Newcastle United target again.

He is not the only former target on the Magpies’ radar, with Geordie Boot Boys also aware that Newcastle are interested in Malick Thiaw after failing to sign him in 2024.

Thiaw was on Newcastle’s radar last year before they moved for Guehi, and the AC Milan player is going to be available this summer.