Chelsea 'Serious' About Signing Juventus Defender Matthijs De Ligt But Face Competition

Chelsea are said to be ‘serious’ about signing Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt but face competition from Europe, according to reports.

The Dutch international could depart Turin this summer if a bid is made, with Chelsea emerging as a potential destination.

It was reported last week that Chelsea would be prepared to fund the signing of the 23-year-old if head coach Thomas Tuchel wanted to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

However this would only be if Tuchel believed that de Ligt is a better option for his Chelsea side than two targets that have already been identified, RB Leipzig’s Gvardiol and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.

It appears that Kounde will be on his way to Chelsea this summer either way, as one of the two replacements for the outgoing defenders Rudiger and Christensen, but a decision must be made between Gvardiol and de Ligt.

Matthijs de Ligt in action for Netherlands. (Alamy)

Now, Calciomercato have reported that there are clubs who are ‘ready to take advantage’ of de Ligt’s situation at Juventus.

Chelsea are ‘serious’ about the player but de Ligt is in no rush to make a decision over his future.

The 23-year-old handed a boost to those interested in him when he criticised the sporting project at Juventus, during international duty with Netherlands.

“There are ongoing conversations between me and Juventus. Right now I am focused on how I perform on the pitch, once the right moment arrives I will decide to extend or to look further,” he revealed.

“I look at the sporting project. Ending fourth in a row for two years in a row is not good enough, Juventus knows this too. So being Juventus, we have to make steps. I’m a Juventus player so I’m focused on that.”

Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt could be on his way to Chelsea. (Alamy)

It is unclear as to who the other interested sides are in de Ligt, with his former Ajax boss taking charge at Manchester United and reportedly in the market for a central defender this summer.

The Dutch defender has a €120 million release clause in his current deal with Juventus, one which he is keen to lower if he is to sign a new contract in Turin.

Chelsea must make a decision on the defender if they wish to pursue him this summer, while other options such as Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe, Inter Milan pair Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij and Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana have been considered.

One thing is for certain, Tuchel’s side will be dipping into the transfer market for at least two defenders this summer.