Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi says Matthijs de Ligt should be sold with Premier League giants Liverpool tipped as a potential destination for the former Ajax captain, speaking to Radio Bianconera.
The grass, as they say, is not always greener elsewhere.
Donny Van de Beek, Frenkie de Jong and Hakim Ziyech have endured their fair share of difficulties since leaving the Johan Cruyff Arena while De Ligt – who captained Ajax to within touching distance of the Champions League final during that thrilling 2018/19 campaign – simply hasn’t lived up to those sky-high expectations in Turin.
“He must provide more leadership, has to assert himself because he has to lead the defence,” Dutch legend Marco van Basten said during Euro 2020 last summer.
“He chases after his player, leaving huge holes (in the backline). De Ligt went to Italy to learn how to defend, but I don’t think he learned much there.”
Would Juventus sell Matthijs de Ligt to Liverpool?
De Ligt, of course, is still only 22. He is far from the finished article. And it’s worth pointing out that Dutch team-mate Virgil van Dijk – arguably the finest central defender in world football – was still plying his trade in Scotland at the same age.
Moggi, however, believes that De Ligt could be a useful sacrifice if Juventus want to raise funds for new additions.
“Juventus has few players to put on the market and De Ligt can be offered,” says Moggi. “However, a problem must be raised. Namely that of being able to replace him in the best way.
“It is necessary to understand well to replace him because, otherwise it makes no sense to give him away.”
According to Corriere dello Sport, De Ligt hopes to leave Juventus at the earliest opportunity. Jurgen Klopp reportedly dreams of pairing De Ligt with compatriot Van Dijk at the heart of an all-Oranje Liverpool backline, though a potential move to Anfield will probably have to wait until 2023.
“For 70 million euros (£60m), De Ligt must be sold,” Moggi adds, translated by Tuttomercatoweb. “Allegri needs a strong team. Can his replacement be one of Bremer and (Kalidou) Koulibaly? I’d take both of them.
“We are talking about two players that would strengthen the defence: the quality of Koulibaly and the quality combined with the tactical awareness of Bremer, who is a true commander of the defence, could be a significant help too Juventus.”
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