Transfer News: Chelsea on high alert as Juventus plot Matthijs de Ligt sale next summer
According to Sport Mediaset via Chelsea News (h/t Football.London), Juventus are ready to sell Matthijs de Ligt in the summer transfer window amidst interest from Chelsea. The latter need to prepare to safeguard their interests as a potential centre-back crisis could unravel at the end of this season.
De Ligt has been a long term target for the Blues, and they have heavily been linked with him in the past. More clubs are likely to enter the fray following this update from Juve’s side. Barcelona have already expressed their interest in signing him and could rival the English club as they look to rebuild under Xavi Hernandez.
The Dutchman is “flattered” by the attention he attracted from the interested parties and would entertain proposals from elsewhere. Last year, his agent Mino Raiola revealed that his client could leave Turin and consider offers from the Premier League. That goes in line with this latest update giving a major boost for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Well? Here’s the chance!
The 22-year-old is widely recognised as one of the best centre-backs in world football at this instant, and getting him would go a long way in protecting our interests. But his time with the Bianconeri has not been at the same heights compared to his days with Ajax.
That being said, Massimiliano Allegri’s side were not at their best over the past few years either, as they have declined heavily during that period. Naturally, that is bound to affect the players as well. As such, providing the Serie A ace with a stable environment would help him get back into contention to achieve the potential he had shown earlier.
Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are on their final five months of their current deal, which has put us in a precarious situation. While the chances of three exits at the same time are low, we cannot simply sit as we need to prepare for a worst-case scenario.
More Chelsea News
- Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta is on the shortlist to replace Kieran Trippier at Atletico Madrid
- Pep Guardiola has stated that Chelsea are currently one of the ‘best team’ in the world
- Chelsea close to agreeing new deal for defender Antonio Rudiger as Bayern Munich eye Andreas Christensen instead
The Dutch international is not the lone defender on our transfer shortlist as Jules Kounde of Sevilla is also being eyed alongside him. It would have been difficult for just one player to solve our issues in the case of multiple departures and having more than one option shows us that the club is planning for the eventuality.
We need to be wary about Barca, but their struggles have been well documented for a very long time. The West London club are in a better state than them and should use that advantage to prise the Juve star before more teams enter the fray.