On January 20th, La Repubblica reported Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are ‘at the window’ for Matthijs de Ligt.
The defender’s current club, Juventus, are now close to securing the services of Fiorentina star Dušan Vlahović for a reported fee of €75m.
According to Calciomercato, the investment made to sign the Serbian in January and the impact of Covid-19 on the Serie A side’s finances will force them to look for income. The 22-year-old could be the one sacrificed next summer, when he will have only two years left on his contract.
The Netherlands international ‘represents the precious and most coveted piece on the international market’ and there will be important talks about his future after this season.
He will either sign a new deal or will be sold. A renewal will see the centre-back take a pay cut, while his sale can help the Turin club improve their finances.
For the latter, there is Chelsea, who have ‘already started the offensive’ to take the Dutchman away from the Old Lady. De Ligt has a €125m release clause, but a fee lower than that should be enough to hold talks with Juventus.
The report didn’t mention any figures.
Over at La Repubblica, they explain Vlahović’s signing for the Italian club ‘will be financed by an important sale’ next summer, and ‘in all likelihood’, it is expected to be the former Ajax man.
There are two reasons for that. Massimiliano Allegri considers the player replaceable and De Ligt, a defender of ‘international calibre’, can ‘find buyers’ who are ready to pay €80m to secure his services.
With Calciomercato reporting the Blues will try to sign De Ligt, La Repubblica’s claims suggest Thomas Tuchel’s side will need a fee of at least €80m to take him away from Juventus.
