Chelsea suffer blow in pursuit of 22-year-old Serie A defensive star

Chelsea suffer blow in race for Matthijs de Ligt as defender addresses transfer links

Speaking in an interview (h/t Mirror), Chelsea target Matthijs de Ligt has insisted that he is ‘happy’ at Juventus despite agent Mino Raiola’s recent exit hint.

The 22-year-old joined Juventus in the summer of 2019 after his successful stint at Ajax. Since then, the Dutch international has gone on to make 79 appearances for the Italian outfit and has also won the Serie A with them.

Chelsea, who already possess the likes of Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, Antonio Rudiger, and Andreas Christensen in their centre-back options, could add another defender to the fold. 

De Ligt has been linked with Chelsea.
De Ligt has been linked with Chelsea. (imago Images)

Rudiger is yet to sign an extension on his current deal, while Thiago Silva will also be out of contract next summer. Moreover, the Blues failed in their attempt to sign Jules Kounde this summer. Thus, it would not be a surprise if the West London club try to sign a defender in the near future.

The Stamford Bridge outfit were linked with De Ligt recently, and the rumours only intensified after the 22-year-old’s agent Mino Raiola claimed that the player could leave Juventus next summer. 

Raiola told Tuttosport (h/t Mirror):

“Matthijs de Ligt is one of the best centre-backs in Europe. He could leave Juventus at the end of the season. Transfer market sometimes works like this.”

Mino Raiola recently claimed that De Ligt could leave next summer. (imago Images)
Mino Raiola recently claimed that De Ligt could leave next summer. (imago Images)

While that was the case, the Dutchman has now come out and has insisted that he is happy at Juventus and appreciates new boss Massimiliano Allegri as well. The 22-year-old said (h/t Mirror):

“I feel good, I feel good with Allegri too. He (Allegri) has a lot of attention for the defensive phase, it’s very important, I worked a lot, and I’m happy.”

Should Chelsea sign Matthijs De Ligt from Juventus if it means selling Timo Werner?
Matthijs de Ligt has insisted that he is happy at Juventus. (imago Images)

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This would be a huge blow for the London club, who will now have to focus their attention elsewhere as Tuchel looks to add to his star-studded squad.