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Towards the end of the January, reports in Italy stated Chelsea have ‘already started an offensive’ to sign Matthijs de Ligt in the summer.

It was also reported the Blues are ‘taking concrete steps’ to acquire the services of the Juventus star.

All of these reports surfaced before the Champions League winners were sanctioned by the UK government. As it stands, the west London club can neither make new signings nor offer contract extensions to their current players.

Despite the current situation at Stamford Bridge, the defender continues to get linked with the Premier League side.

According to Tuttosport, relayed by Calciomercato.it, ‘many big’ clubs ‘think of’ the 22-year-old. The list includes Thomas Tuchel’s side, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.

The Netherlands international has a €120m release clause that will come into effect in the summer. Juve, who are aware no club will be in position to trigger this, will need a ‘crazy offer’ in excess of €100m to let the centre-back leave in the summer.

Over at Calciomercato, they discuss the Serie A side could offer the Dutchman a new deal. His current contract expires in 2024. The same report also explains the ‘farewell should not be excluded’ in the next window.

As it stands, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are calm about the situation around the ex-Ajax man and an exit in the summer is ‘out of the question’. However, the transfer can take place in the next window if they were to receive ‘off-market offer’.

Calciomercato states: ‘To be clear, de Ligt is fundamental and cannot be sold, the scenario can only change in the face of a proposal of €90-100m. Figures that would rock any club’.

Chelsea will only be in a position to make an offer for De Ligt if the sanctions imposed on them are removed, meaning after a change of ownership.