Liverpool To Prioritise Konaté Contract Over £50m Huijsen Transfer – Opinion | OneFootball

Liverpool Must Prioritise Konaté Before Chasing Dean Huijsen

In football, decisions are often measured not in black and white, but in shades of urgency. For Liverpool, as we march towards a Premier League-winning summer, the need to act decisively in shaping the squad’s defensive future has never felt more pressing. The name Dean Huijsen is attracting heavy attention across Europe, with Liverpool among those keen, but the Anfield club must first focus inward: securing Ibrahima Konaté to a new long-term contract should take precedence.

Rising Star: Why Dean Huijsen Is On Everyone’s Radar

Dean Huijsen’s meteoric rise from the Juventus academy to Premier League prominence with Bournemouth is no fluke. At just 20 years old, he has showcased the rarest of commodities — composure and technical assurance beyond his years. Analysts marvel at his two-footedness, his grace in ball progression, and his command in defensive duels. Standing over six foot five, Huijsen combines physicality with elegance, launching passes from deep areas and stepping into midfield like a seasoned quarterback.

It’s no surprise that Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and even Real Madrid have monitored his progress closely. His £50 million release clause seems almost modest when weighed against his vast potential. Yet, therein lies the paradox: while Huijsen promises a glittering future, Liverpool already possess a defensive cornerstone in Ibrahima Konaté — and he demands immediate attention.

Konaté Contract More Crucial Than Huijsen Chase

Konaté, at 25, is entering his prime years. His performances have been pivotal to Liverpool’s resurgence, blending pace, anticipation, and strength to fashion one of the Premier League’s most feared centre-halves. Unlike Huijsen, who, while dazzling, still represents potential rather than certainty, Konaté has proven his mettle against Europe’s very best.

Liverpool’s defensive rebuild should start not with acquisition but retention. In a world where Chelsea offer young talents eight-year deals and Real Madrid hover for tomorrow’s superstars, Liverpool must signal their commitment to today’s elite. Securing Konaté to a new contract is not just wise — it is essential. Allowing his situation to drift risks not only unsettling the squad but inviting opportunistic suitors into the fray.

Huijsen Represents Brilliant But Risky Long-Term Bet

This is not to diminish Dean Huijsen’s qualities. Far from it. Should Liverpool move for the Dutch-Spanish centre-back, it would represent an astute investment in the club’s medium-to-long-term future. Joe Gomez, loyal but oft-injured, seems destined for a summer exit. Jarell Quansah, promising though he may be, carries the uncertain burden of youth; will he reach the elite level Liverpool demand?

In this context, Huijsen feels like a natural evolution — a player who can rotate, learn, and eventually lead. However, competition will be fierce. Chelsea’s notorious willingness to offer sprawling, lucrative deals to young players — as seen with Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia — puts them in a strong position once again. If Chelsea dangle a seven-year deal, guaranteed first-team minutes, and a cleverly negotiated Real Madrid release clause, Liverpool’s traditional incentives might fall short.

Moreover, Liverpool’s misfortunes against Chelsea in recent transfer battles are still fresh. Watching Caicedo and Lavia opt for Stamford Bridge despite Anfield’s call was a bitter pill. The potential irony looms large: those same players could soon be applauding the newly crowned Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge in a guard of honour.

Smart Squad Planning Will Define This Summer

Arne Slot’s Liverpool will be defined by its transfer market dexterity this summer. The backline, in particular, requires nuanced thought. Replacing or supplementing Gomez and planning beyond Virgil van Dijk’s eventual twilight cannot be left to chance. Yet, strengthening foundations must come before stretching ceilings.

Konaté’s new deal would send a clear signal: Liverpool reward excellence, loyalty, and proven pedigree. Only after solidifying the present should the club fully engage in the race for Huijsen. Otherwise, the risk is double-edged — destabilising the current unit while gambling heavily on a talent still some way from full maturity.

Huijsen may yet choose Chelsea, seduced by the glamour of immediate starts and lucrative security. Liverpool cannot and should not break their structure chasing him. Instead, they must operate as they did in Michael Edwards’ Sporting Director tenure: focused, rational, patient. Should Huijsen decide he wants to forge a career built on legacy and triumph rather than contract length and personal clauses, Anfield’s gates will be open.

Until then, Konaté’s signature must be Liverpool’s primary defensive victory this summer.