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Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola insists Dean Huijsen has not lost any focus amid speculation linking him with a big-money move away from the club.

Huijsen is attracting interest from sides across Europe, including Liverpool, with Arne Slot potentially in the market for a new central defender.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, along with several Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, are all reportedly ready to meet a $67 million release clause for the Spain international.

However, Iraola believes that Huijsen remains fully focused on finishing the current campaign at the Vitality Stadium.

He is playing well also and I think, even being young, it's not something strange for him.

"He's coming from big teams (Juventus and Roma) even if they were not in the first team, so from teams, probably these things are quite natural and I see him quite normal."

It has emerged that Chelsea is believed to be in pole position for the ex-Juventus defender although the failure to land Champions League football could come back to bite Enzo Maresca.

Bournemouth meanwhile has European ambitions of its own and Irarola has emphasized the importance of every point as his team strives to secure a spot in European competition, ahead of Sunday's game with Manchester United.

Currently, the Cherries are positioned eighth in the Premier League table, which could potentially be enough for a place in next season's Conference League, depending on how other teams' campaigns unfold.

With Fulham, Brighton, Brentford and Crystal Palace all within reach, Iraola is aware that there will likely be little room for error if Bournemouth is to make its debut in European football.



Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaks with Dean Huijsen

What is going to be the position that gives you the access to Europe," Iraola said during a press conference ahead of Sunday's home game against Manchester United.

"More or less, we need to think is that there are seven teams that are comfortably ahead of us and there are some teams around us...three, four teams that we are fighting for probably one spot, or maybe nothing because we don't know if Palace wins the cup, there is nothing to play for.

"But we want to think that at least there will be one position there that is open because the distances are one point, two points are really, really short and we know it is going to be difficult, especially for us because we have a difficult schedule

We have to play against teams that are very good.

"But now at the end of the season, every point, whoever is the opposition, is very expensive and we have to go week by week and try to arrive with chances until the last game."

Iraola confirmed that Colombian forward Luis Sinisterra won't be available for Sunday's match due to a thigh injury, while midfielder Lewis Cook's participation remains doubtful as he continues to manage an ankle issue.


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