Thomas Tuchel is to personally contact Matthijs de Ligt to convince the Juventus defender to join Chelsea, with the Stamford Bridge side now on pole despite interest from Liverpool.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who report the Blues boss plans to phone the Dutchman soon to persuade him to leave the Bianconeri. Tuchel is determined to take De Ligt to west London this summer, having lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as free agents.
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Rudiger was the lynchpin of the German’s backline last season, but he has now joined Real Madrid. Barcelona have also completed the capture of Christensen to tear out most of the experienced options at Tuchel’s disposal, leaving mainly Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Chelsea lead the race for De Ligt’s signature with Juventus possibly needing to sacrifice the 22-year-old to raise funds. The Blues are the only club to so far table an official offer to his Serie A side. But Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are also showing firm interest in a deal.
Tuchel following Bayern Munich interest to put Chelsea clear for De Ligt transfer
Additionally, Sky Germany had claimed earlier in July that De Ligt would favour a move to the Allianz Arena. Negotiations between Der FCB and the Bianconeri are also underway as Julian Nagelsmann trusts De Ligt to be his new defensive leader and informed him of such.
It was Nagelsmann’s involvement that persuaded De Ligt to listen to Bayern Munich, and now want the move. But Juventus will not sell for less than €80m (£68.5m) as his contract includes a €120m (£103m) release clause and Der FCB could struggle past €60m (£51.5m).
Further interest from Liverpool will only serve to improve Juventus’ resolve to lesser bids for De Ligt from Bayern Munich or Chelsea. TuttoMercatoWEB reported in June that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp dreams of the former Ajax talent beside compatriot Virgil van Dijk at Anfield.
Manchester City are also in the mix for the defender Andrea Barzagli considers ‘incredible’. CalcioMercatoWeb report the Citizens may send Ilkay Gundogan and Oleksandr Zinchenko to Turin plus €40-50m (£34.5-43m) in cash for De Ligt, making a €90-110m (£77-94m) deal.
“De Ligt is a modern defender who likes physical contact,” Barzagli said in 2021, via quotes by Calciomercato. “He has incredible potential and a marked professionalism. He has been under pressure since he was very young, yet he is always calm.”
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