Bournemouth sold Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid for £50m in the last window.
The Cherries gave the defender a platform to impress in the Premier League for a season. Juventus sold him to Bournemouth a year earlier, in a move which raised some eyebrows. He’d shown a lot of promise during a loan spell at AS Roma in the second-half of the 2023/24 campaign.
The 20-year-old’s father Donny is still confused over Juventus’ motives. He’s spoken to TuttoSport about his son’s journey to Real Madrid.
When asked about the move to Bournemouth, Huijsen’s father said Juve’s decision was a big surprise.
“It was a real shock. We couldn’t believe it, we were shocked. It was bad, too bad. A dark day. Terrible. A bolt from the blue. But why? We wondered, unable to understand, the reasons for the forced separation. Dean was wonderful in Turin, he speaks excellent Italian. He was appreciated and well-liked by everyone.”
Donny also said Juve’s then sporting director Cristiano Guintoli and former manager Thiago Motta were very blunt
“Giuntoli was categorical and Motta was brutal when they told him he would no longer be part of the project and that he had to leave, that he was no longer allowed to train with the first team.”
“Aren’t exactly among my best friends”
The defender’s father was also asked about his relationship with both Guintoli and Motta.
He responded: “He and Motta aren’t exactly among my best friends.”
The way Huijsen was sold to Bournemouth still leaves bitterness.
Guintoli ended up leaving Juve after shortcomings in the market. Motta was sacked as manager and replaced by Igor Tudor.
This was when Huijsen was impressing at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola last season. That helped him secure a move to Real Madrid. In the meantime, Motta and Guintoli are yet to find new clubs.
Juventus’ poor decision making saw Bournemouth benefit, both on and off the pitch.
