Ian Wright disappointed Arsenal missed out on signing £50m star this summer

Ian Wright believes Dean Huijsen would have been an excellent signing for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Huijsen, 20, enjoyed an exceptional debut season in the Premier League with Bournemouth, establishing himself as one of the most promising young centre-backs in European football.

The Gunners had been keeping close tabs on Huijsen’s progress on the south coast, along with Manchester United and Chelsea, with all three teams on the hunt for defensive reinforcements ahead of the transfer window.

But La Liga giants Real Madrid moved quickly to agree personal terms with Huijsen before triggering the Spaniard’s £50million release clause at the Vitality Stadium.

Huijsen has committed his future to Madrid until 2030 and becomes the first signing of Xabi Alonso’s reign at the Bernabeu.

While Arsenal already boast arguably finest centre-back partnership in the league in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, club legend Wright believes Huijsen would have been an excellent addition at the Emirates.

Discussing Arsenal’s priorities for the summer, Wright told the Seaman Says podcast: ‘I’d probably have a back-up centre-back.

Real Madrid won the race to sign Huijsen from Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)

The Gunners will prioritise strengthening their attack this summer (Picture: Getty)

‘I would have loved us to buy Huijsen off Bournemouth, but he’s gone to Real Madrid.

‘They [Madrid] saw it and they just come in and go, “Bang!”, but we just need a couple more.

‘We need a bit of luck with the injuries and the referees, PGMOL, we need some accountability for them. But at the end of the day, that’s out of your control.

‘I just think we’re so close and second place is part of the journey as a fan, as frustrating as it is. Hopefully, when you do finally get over the line, you look back at this and it doesn’t matter so much.’

In addition to a new defender, Wright believes Arsenal need to strengthen their attack with a ‘main striker and another forward’ if they are to start winning trophies again.

Asked if the Gunners had progressed this season, Wright replied: ‘You have to see it as a progression because second again, it’s close. It’s a mental thing now.

‘What they showed towards the end of the season, they’re mentally very strong because it’s important that we finished second, especially with the way Manchester City were coming, and get something out of the season.

Arsenal need to find a ‘main striker’ in the summer transfer market, says Wright (Picture: Getty)

‘Mentality-wise, I think it’s very strong and I think it’s going to be vital who he adds to that group.

‘Apparently [Martin] Zubimendi is there, there’s talk about [Viktor] Gyokeres, whether’s it is Sesko… I don’t know who it’s going to be. But I believe that we need a main striker and another forward.’

Wright is adamant Arsenal had a better season than Tottenham, despite Spurs ending their 17-year wait for silverware with victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final.

Asked which club had enjoyed the better campaign, Wright replied: ‘We have. We started the season trying to win the league and we’ve finished second.

‘Spurs didn’t start the season wanting to finish 17th, stink the place out, win the Europa League, lose 22 matches in the Premier League.

‘If Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester were fractionally better, Manchester United and Tottenham are in a relegation fight for half of that season. It’s just that they were so poor.’

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