Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports.
The Champions League holders were keen on bolstering their defensive options in the summer and came close to signing Jules Kounde before Sevilla raised their asking price in the closing stages of the summer window.
Chelsea have come to the end of Kounde saga but would be looking to add another centre-back option with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are both out of contract at the end of the season and talks with the German are said to have stalled.
The report claims that Juventus are ‘ready to offload’ De Ligt as they want his £280,000-a-week salary off their wage bill.
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In an interview with Italian media last month, De Ligt’s agent, Mino Raiola, made it clear that the Netherlands international could be sold next summer
De Ligt could also leave Juventus at the end of the season,’ said Raiola.
‘This is how the market works, there are many clubs who are interested in his services.’
De Ligt has started all three of Juve’s Champions League matches so far this term – including the 1-0 win over Thomas Tuchel’s Blues.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 29: Leonardo Bonucci of Juventus and Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea FC look on as Matthijs De Ligt of Juventus challenges Kai Havertz of Chelsea FC as he lines up a shot on goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Juventus and Chelsea FC at on September 29, 2021 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
The Former Ajax Golden boy would relish the chance to follow country man Van dijk in plying his trade in Premier League.
De Ligt, who joined Juventus from Ajax in a £67.5m deal in 2019, has been splitting his playing time with 37-year-old Giorgio Chiellini this season
Getting his client out of Turin may not be easy, however, with Max Allegri’s side reportedly unwilling to provide a discount on his £125m release clause.