With Antonio Rudiger’s contract set to expire at the end of the current season at Stamford Bridge, a host of clubs are keen on luring the Champions League winner – including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Amid such uncertainty, Thomas Tuchel’s outfit are already planning on moving in for another highly-rated defender who is much younger. That name in contention for a move to Chelsea is Juventus stopper Matthijs De Ligt, according to reports from Calciomercato.
The 22-year-old Dutch defender, who moved from Ajax in 2019 after a formidable season in the Champions League, has not yet etched himself as a starter among the Bianconeri ranks – especially in the presence of veteran legends Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
He moved two years back for a staggering amount of €85.5m amid much hype and interest from other top clubs such as Barcelona.
The 1999-born centre-back is reportedly the first name to be targeted by the Blues in the next summer transfer window. He currently has a market value of €75m, according to transfermarkt.
His contract is set to expire in June 2024 and with three more years on his contract, the Dutchman has time to settle in the starting eleven which is highly expected.