The agent of Juventus defender Dean Huijsen admits Europe's biggest clubs have wanted to sign the Dutch youngster.

The former Malaga youth teamer made his debut in victory at AC Milan on the weekend.

Agent Alex Santisteban told Tuttosport: "Even Jordi Cruyff, when he was Barça's sporting director, tried to sign him personally. But we preferred Juventus to Barça or Bayern Munich for two reasons: the first was the clarity of Juventus.

"They explained themselves with surgical precision and understanding the type of career that the player could have. They had everything thought out for Dean, step by step. We fell in love immediately.

"Secondly, the boy wanted to play in Serie A, an ideal league to develop as a defender, both technically and tactically. Serie A is a master's degree for defenders, as Barça can be for a midfielder or Real Madrid for a playmaker. He is inspired by Chiellini, Sergio Ramos, Van Dijk and De Ligt, he wants to follow in their footsteps."