Juventus CEO Maurizio Arrivabene believes some players are more attached to their agent than their clubs, after Mino Raiola suggested reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Matthijs de Ligt is ready for a new challenge away from Turin, via quotes by Calciomercato.
The Bianconeri paid Ajax £67.5m plus £9m in add-ons to sign a then-19-year-old De Ligt in 2019. But he has not grown into the dominant defender the Allianz Stadium side expected.
De Ligt is a strong talent, but is by no means a guaranteed starter alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. He has only opened 19 of his 21 outings so far this season from 27 games. Yet he has started their last eight Serie A matches and helped to six clean sheets.
De Ligt’s run in the Juventus backline may not be enough for them to keep the 22-year-old, though. Raiola told NRC last week that he ‘is ready for a new step’ and ‘he thinks that too’.
Juventus chief Arrivabene responds to Raiola claim
Juventus CEO Arrivabene has now responded to Raiola claiming De Ligt feels he is ready for a new challenge. The Bianconeri chief offered a firm stance on his views of the relationship players have with agents in modern football.
“It’s easy to talk about attachment to the shirt, but it’s more difficult to prove it,” he said. “Some are more attached to their agent than to the shirt. We have excellent relations with our players.”
Tottenham may be closely tracking how Juventus’ relationship with Raiola develops as they weigh up a transfer for De Ligt. Reports by Calciomercato.it at the time of Antonio Conte’s arrival suggested the Italian wanted to raid one of his former Serie A sides for new signings.
Raiola working to seal transfer for Tottenham target De Ligt
De Ligt is one of the Juventus stars Conte would like to see transfer to Tottenham in 2022. He would make the Dutchman the lynchpin of the Spurs backline, in a deal possibly worth €70m (£60m). Marking a slight loss for the Old Lady on their €12m-a-year (£195k-a/w) star.
The Bianconeri have De Ligt under contract for another two-years, though. So, Raiola could struggle to seal the switch he and his client believe is coming in January or next summer.
But that has not stopped Raiola from putting plans in place to move De Ligt. Calciomercato noted in October that the super-agent had spoken to Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester City over a transfer. Juventus can also point to a €150m (£127m) release clause, however.
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