Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea transfer news: Matthijs de Ligt placed among top targets amid prospect of double defensive signing

Matthijs de Ligt training with the Netherlands

Chelsea have made Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt one of their top targets for their defensive rebuild, according to reports.

De Ligt’s future with Juventus is currently unclear. He has been in talks with his current club, who only have him under contract until 2024. The Dutchman has admitted the club need to aim higher to match everyone’s ambitions.

If he finds a better project elsewhere, there is a chance that De Ligt could leave Juventus. In turn, he has been linked with a Premier League transfer.

There has been talk of a reunion with his former Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag, at Manchester United. Yet several sources are indicating that Chelsea could be an option too.

For example, according to talkSPORT, De Ligt is a “top target” at Stamford Bridge.

Antonio Rudiger has left on a free transfer for Real Madrid, while Andreas Christensen will be joining Barcelona on the same terms. Doubts remain over the future of Cesar Azpilicueta, too.

Therefore, Chelsea have a great need for new centre-backs. In that regard, De Ligt is someone they are strongly considering.

talkSPORT remind that Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is the top target for Chelsea in defence. However, given they are facing multiple exits, they may make more than one signing.

A window of opportunity may just be opening for them to take De Ligt, who was a €75m (£64.3m) signing for Juventus in 2019.

Obviously, there could be competition from elsewhere for the Dutch centre-half. However, there would be a guaranteed role for him at Chelsea, given their shortage in his position.

Chelsea should be cautious over De Ligt value

That said, he may not be the best option available to the Blues. His stint in Serie A has been far from entirely convincing.

De Ligt initially struggled to adapt to Italian football when he made the move to Juventus. Veteran defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci instead showed him how it is done.

Chelsea confident they’ll sign De Ligt for £37m from Juventus

Chelsea confident they’ll sign De Ligt for £37m from Juventus

Chelsea are confident they will sign De Ligt this summer from Juventus

There have been more promising signs from the 22-year-old since. But he has not been consistent enough to justify his large price tag.

Therefore, Chelsea should be sceptical about spending big for De Ligt themselves. A move to the Premier League would represent a further adaptation for him to get to grips with.

The more physical, less tactical nature of English football may be more suited to De Ligt’s skillset. But there are still enough doubts for Chelsea to at least look for better value-for-money options.

He is a familiar face to many from his Ajax days, though, where he was a leader. Hence, he could yet be a signing to get people talking.

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