Barat has revealed that Madrid beat “more than seven” other top clubs to the signing of defender Huijsen, describing the process as “very easy” due to the player’s lifelong “dream” of moving to the Santiago Bernabeu. Speaking to RMC Sport Barat detailed the straightforward nature of the blockbuster transfer.
Despite significant interest in the 20-year-old from across Europe, Barat explained that a release clause in the player’s contract simplified the negotiations. The main task was to present the various projects to the defender and his family before a final decision was made.
“With Dean, it was very easy,” Barat said. “I think there were more than seven clubs that wanted him. There was a £50 million clause too. So there were no real negotiations to do with the club, which made the job much easier. It was just a matter of visiting all the clubs, listening to all the projects.”
Once the options were presented, the agent confirmed that the player’s personal ambition made the final choice a simple one. Barat noted that Huijsen’s connection to Spain made the move particularly meaningful.
“We sat down with Dean and his family to make his choice,” he continued. “For him, it was clear: his dream was to play for Real Madrid. He’s a Spanish international. So I think for him, it was even more important. Plus, he was a Real Madrid fan when he was younger.”
Huijsen has started his career in Madrid brightly, but will be forced to watch from the sidelines this weekend. The centre-back is set to miss Saturday’s La Liga match against Espanyol after the Spanish Football Federation’s appeals committee controversially upheld a one-match ban for a red card he received in the 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.
The suspension was confirmed despite Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA) admitting in a video review that a yellow card would have been the “most appropriate punishment.” The decision prompted a frustrated reaction from the player, who posted on Instagram: “They admit the mistake but I’m still punished. A good image for Spanish football.”
