Opinion-dividing agent Mino Raiola has opened the door for Matthijs de Ligt’s move away from Juventus. In an interview with Tuttosport, the so-called super agent admitted his client could leave the Allianz Stadium at the end of the season.
Juventus forked out £70million to acquire de Ligt’s services from Ajax in 2019 at the age of 19. But the Netherlands international has struggled to live up to his reputation as one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in European football since landing in Italy.
A lack of consistency, coupled with the presence of long-serving stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, has contributed to the Dutchman’s somewhat underwhelming experience in Serie A. At 22, de Ligt needs regular first-team action to develop his potential, and the feeling is he might have to find a new environment to achieve that.
Raiola has now opened the possibility for the highly-rated defender to depart Turin amid growing interest from Chelsea and Barcelona.
“Matthijs de Ligt is one of the best centre-backs in Europe,” the Dutch-Italian agent told Tuttosport. “He could leave Juventus at the end of the season. Transfer market sometimes works like this.“
Despite Juventus’ shockingly poor start to this Serie A campaign under returning manager Massimiliano Allegri, de Ligt seems to have managed to find his feet under the new boss. The youngster’s recent showings have seen Chelsea and Barcelona renew their interest in his services.
The reigning Champions League holders were hell-bent on signing Jules Kounde from Sevilla in the summer. Though the Frenchman’s price fluctuated throughout the recently completed transfer window, Chelsea failed to find an agreement with Los Rojiblancos.
With Thiago Silva not getting younger, Thomas Tuchel wants to add another top-class centre-back to his star-studded squad. The German appears to have switched his attention towards de Ligt, and Raiola’s recent statement may only encourage his bid to land the ex-Ajax prodigy.