Juventus are reportedly ready to let Matthijs de Ligt leave in the summer, but only cash offers will do. According to Calciomercato, the record-time Italian champions have rebuffed Chelsea’s player-plus-cash bid involving Timo Werner.
De Ligt is one of the hottest properties in the market. Despite his topsy-turvy career at Juventus, he still has plenty of admirers. After Barcelona and Manchester United, Chelsea are now taking stock of the possibility of landing the Dutchman.
Juventus were firmly against the 22-year-old’s departure at first. That’s mainly thanks to Giorgio Chiellini’s retirement. However, the Bianconeri have had a change of heart. Aware of de Ligt’s quest for a new challenge, the Italians are now open to negotiating his sale.
But Juventus are unwilling to discuss counterparts in a deal to see the ex-Ajax defender move away. In fact, only cash bids will do the trick. Three years ago, they paid the reigning Eredivisie champions €75m to acquire de Ligt’s services.
Fast forward three years, only a similar figure can take the highly-rated centre-back away from Turin. Juventus’ demands will effectively rule Barcelona out of the race. Due to the lack of financial muscle, the Catalans cannot commit to such an expensive operation.
That leaves Chelsea and Man United as the only viable candidates to sign de Ligt. Money has never been a problem for the Premier League heavyweights. You’d not have to look beyond Harry Maguire’s move to Old Trafford to understand that.
But Maguire and Raphael Varane are no longer indispensable at Man United. After Erik ten Hag’s appointment, both players will have to battle for their place in the starting XI. On top of that, the Dutch manager is in the market for a new central defender.
De Ligt has naturally emerged as one of ten Hag’s preferred options. The Dutchmen share fond memories of their time at Ajax. United’s interest in the Juventus star man comes as no major surprise then.
Yet, Chelsea are also in the running. After losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers, Thomas Tuchel needs to fill the void. And he looks poised to make de Ligt his new defensive mainstay.
It takes no rocket science to assume de Ligt’s future lies in the Premier League.