Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen was wanted by half the Premier League and several European giants before a reported revelation has made the 20-year-old an even more attractive transfer target.

The already affordable £50m release clause in Huijsen’s contract is now thought to be payable in instalments.

Juventus couldn’t get rid of Huijsen fast enough last summer, banishing the towering young defender from first-team training to force a move so that funds could be raised as quickly as possible. Bournemouth pounced upon this golden opportunity, hurriedly agreeing a deal worth an initial £12.6m.

A series of consistent performances at the heart of a Cherries team enjoying the best Premier League campaign in club history has spawned a swollen glut of admirers. That Huijsen would be available for just £50m was an added bonus, but it has now been claimed by Sky Sports Germany that clubs don’t need to cough up the entire lump sum in one fell swoop. Instead, it can paid in three instalments across an undisclosed amount of time.

Huijsen recently confirmed that his contract contained an “exit clause” but admitted: “The truth is, I don’t really understand it myself.” That confusion may have been in response to this delayed payment structure.

This revelation will only encourage Huijsen’s long list of suitors. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle United have emerged as the four Premier League sides most keenly interested in signing the prodigious centre-back, although Bayern Munich – and in particular – Real Madrid have also been heavily linked.

The centre-back’s preference varies wildly according to each competing outlet. Several UK-based publications have alternatively backed Chelsea and Liverpool, while the Spanish press are never slow to bill Real Madrid as front-runners.

However, Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Madrid aren’t even decided on whether they need a new centre-back this summer.

Huijsen is said to have not yet made his decision, but one thing appears increasingly apparent with each update surrounding the Spain international’s future: he will not be playing for Bournemouth next season.