Chelsea are considering a move for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt as Thomas Tuchel’s search for a centre-back continues.
De Ligt has emerged as a potential transfer target for the west London side who are keen to add a new centre-back to their ranks, despite boasting the best defensive record in Europe since Tuchel’s appointment as head coach in January.
Chelsea had expressed an interest in signing Jules Kounde from Sevilla during the summer, whilst reports this week suggested the Blues had also seen an approach for PSG star Marquinhos rejected.
Calciomercato, as per the Mirror, are reporting that De Ligt has now on the club’s radar with the Netherlands international possessing a release clause of €120m (£103m) which will become active at the end of the season.
Juventus are hopeful of securing the 22-year-old to a new contract, though Chelsea are understood to be ‘very interested’ and have placed De Ligt at the top of their transfer wish-list.
Chelsea’s current centre-back options consist of Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah, whilst Cesar Azpilicueta has also featured predominantly as one of Tuchel’s three central defenders
Azpilicueta, Silva – who turned 37 earlier this week – and Rudiger are all out of contract at the end of the season, with Chelsea currently in talks with the latter over an extension to his deal with Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich circling.
