Chelsea ‘think about’ pushing ahead for big signing – Deal has been on ‘standby’ due to takeover

Chelsea are in the picture for Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt, according to claims coming out of Italy.

The Blues have been regularly named as the summer contender for the defender even before the winter market closed in January.

Fast forward to May and Calciomercato now state Chelsea ‘think about’ the Netherlands international.

The Serie A side want to tie down the centre-back to a new contract and include a release clause, which will be much lower than the €125m he has in the current deal. However, the 22-year-old signing an extension doesn’t guarantee his stay at the Turin club.

Clubs in England have their eyes on the Dutchman. Regarding Chelsea, the report states they ‘have been on standby’ for some time due to the ‘corporate chaos’ at the west London club.

However, that should not dismiss Thomas Tuchel’s side, especially since they will need to sign a new central defender, with Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen set to leave the club as free agents after this season.

Juve are waiting for a response from the player over an extension, but they must ‘watch out for the attention’ from the Premier League, where Chelsea are keeping tabs on De Ligt.