Juventus could let Matthijs de Ligt go in a deal involving Timo Werner, but a transfer fee is yet to be agreed
(Image credit: PA)
Chelsea have reportedly been rejected by Juventus after making a bid of cash plus Timo Werner for Matthijs de Ligt, but a move could still be on the cards.
The Blues need to bring in defensive reinforcements this summer after Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger departed at the end of their contracts.
De Ligt is a top priority, according to the Daily Mail, and the Blues are willing to use Werner as a makeweight to get a deal done.
(Image credit: Getty)
However, an opening offer of €40 million (£34.4m) plus the Germany international was turned down by the Turin club.
De Ligt has a release clause of £102m in his Juventus contract, but Chelsea are hopeful they can complete the signing without triggering it.
The Dutch defender is said to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge, while Juve are interested in Werner, although Christian Pulisic is reportedly also on the table.
(Image credit: PA Images)
An agreement still needs to be reached for the fee, though, while Nathan Ake of Manchester City is viewed as an alternative target.
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De Ligt joined Juve from Ajax in July 2019 in a deal worth more than €85m.
He has a deal until 2024 with the Old Lady, but is coming off two difficult seasons at the club where they finished fourth in Serie A.
Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.
