Chelsea have started negotiations with Juventus over a possible move for defender Matthijs de Ligt in the summer, claims The Telegraph’s Matt Law. The Blues are aiming to strengthen their backline that has been left short of options with the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.
Chelsea Holding Talks With Juventus Over Matthijs de Ligt
Chelsea have opened talks with Juventus over a move for Matthijs de Ligt. 🇳🇱 #CFC
The player has already communicated his desire about moving to Stamford Bridge this summer. ✅ pic.twitter.com/cWnn9euj3R
— Andreas Korssund (@KorssundAndreas) June 26, 2022
Thomas Tuchel No Longer Regards Jules Kounde as Top Target
The Blues are not regarding Sevilla defender Jules Kounde as their top target for a new centre-back anymore after realizing that they might be able to get a deal done for De Ligt.
The French centre-back is attracting attention from Barcelona and Chelsea believe they are pursuing a better defender in the Juventus centre-back. The London giants are talking to the Serie A side about a possible move for the 22-year-old after he reportedly rejected a new contract from them and wants to move on in the summer.
Read More: Chelsea Ready to Step Up Pursuit for Multiple Premier League Winner
However, Thomas Tuchel’s side realise that they won’t have it easy with the deal for the Dutch centre-back. Juventus aren’t keen on selling their prized defender and can demand as high as €100 million to let him go.
Chelsea Eager to Sign Defenders After Summer Exits
Chelsea have had a crazy few months due to the entire procedure of a new owner taking over from Roman Abramovich. It also caused a few players to run down their deals, with Rudiger and Christensen leaving the club after their contracts expired.
With that, Tuchel is left with a 37-year-old Thiago Silva as his most experienced defender and the likes of Malang Sarr and Trevoh Chalobah as his only natural centre-back options. Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilucueta could both leave for Barcelona, so that doesn’t help things at all.
Read More: Every Premier League Transfer Completed in Summer 2022
That is why the Blues are pushing hard to sign a quality, world-class defender soon. De Ligt definitely matches that criteria, as he’s been playing at the top level for five years despite only being 22.
The Dutchman has been praised for having ‘incredible potential’ and has it in him to be the best defender in the world in a few years’ time, as long as his development remains on the right track. Tuche realizes he can mould something special out of De Ligt and is trying to get a deal done, despite Juventus’ major demands for the centre-back.
