‘Unreal fit’: Eddie Howe told to go out and bring £50m wonderkid to Newcastle United this summer
Ben Foster has thrown his weight behind Newcastle United’s pursuit of Bournemouth’s rising star Dean Huijsen, insisting the £50m-rated defender would represent the perfect long-term solution to the Magpies’ defensive needs.
The former Premier League goalkeeper believes Eddie Howe’s side must inject fresh energy and pace into their backline to progress, identifying the 20-year-old Dutchman as an ideal candidate to eventually succeed Fabian Schär.
Foster’s analysis cuts to the heart of Newcastle’s current defensive dilemma. While Schär and Dan Burn continue to deliver dependable performances, the club requires a new generation of defenders capable of thriving in Howe’s progressive system.
“They need younger, fresher options with the ability to play out from the back,” Foster emphasized during his appearance on the Football Fill In YouTube channel.
“Someone like Huijsen at Bournemouth would be an unreal fit for Newcastle – that ilk of young, up-and-coming talent with energy and technical quality.”
Huijsen’s credentials make compelling reading for Newcastle’s recruitment team. The Bournemouth defender boasts exceptional ball-playing abilities, comfortable operating on either side of central defense, and has adapted seamlessly to Premier League football during his breakout season.
His £50m release clause presents a straightforward transaction for any suitor, though Newcastle currently find themselves trailing in the race behind Liverpool and Chelsea, both prepared to offer lucrative personal terms.
The Magpies have already laid preliminary groundwork, holding discussions with Huijsen’s representatives. However, they face stiff competition from clubs who can offer immediate Champions League football.
This pursuit comes as Newcastle simultaneously explore a renewed move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, demonstrating their determination to solve their defensive succession planning this summer.
Foster’s intervention highlights a growing consensus about Newcastle’s necessary evolution. While Burn and Schär remain valuable assets, the club’s aspirations demand defenders who can combine physical attributes with technical sophistication – qualities Huijsen embodies.
His potential arrival would signal Newcastle’s commitment to building a backline capable of competing at the highest level for years to come.
As the summer window approaches, Newcastle’s hierarchy must decide whether to meet Bournemouth’s valuation or divert resources elsewhere.
With multiple top clubs circling, hesitation could prove costly in securing one of English football’s most promising defensive talents.
For Foster and many Newcastle supporters, Huijsen represents precisely the profile of signing that could propel the club to new heights – if they can win the fiercely competitive race for his signature.