Chelsea Could Lose Juventus Defender to Bayern Munich

Chelsea will now go head-to-head with Bayern Munich for Juventus wantaway, Matthijs de Ligt. As per reports: both potential suitors have opened talks with offers below the Old Lady’s liking.

Matthijs de Ligt’s time in Italy seems to have run its course with a move wanted by both him and Juventus; the latter wanting it sorted out as soon as possible. They too want to find their de Ligt replacement and get their preseason underway with all their summer additions at the Allianz Stadium as early as can be.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich First Contact Made

Thomas Tuchel has handed in a long list of defender targets to his recruiting team at Stamford Bridge and at the top of that list is said to be Matthijs de Ligt. The Blues have made sure the work done this summer starts at the back and they fill the yawning holes left by duo Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

"Bayern’s interest for Matthijs de Ligt is concrete. First contacts have been made. The Dutchman is also Thomas Tuchel’s first choice at Chelsea. The player would prefer a Premier League move. Juventus do not want players included in a deal, they want cash [@DiMarzio]"

As the Blues name de Ligt as a primary target, they’re also offering around €70m + €10m in added-on bonuses. This is apparently the same total the Bundesliga champions are willing to offer, but in a different structure to that of Chelsea’s.

Both, sadly, is not what Juventus are looking for and want no deal that involves a player plus cash exchange. The West London club is not short of funds and the German giants drive a hard bargain; Matthijs de Ligt is still anybody’s signing due to this.

This is a rethink, considering Tuchel and the club named Jules Kounde as the top target this summer. Some sources from the London side say they have changed their defensive strategy and because of this, have made the Netherlands international their new priority.

"Chelsea are offering €70m + €10m for Matthijs de Ligt, too low for Juventus. Meanwhile, Bayern are offering a lower guaranteed fee, but more in add-ons, which makes it close to Chelsea’s offer. Juventus are holding out for a three digit million feeBoth de Ligt and Juventus want the player’s future sorted as soon as possible, preferably before he resumes training on July 10. The Italians are trying to get as much as they can for de Ligt to fund their remaining transfers. There will be no discount [@GiovaAlbanese][Via: Twitter]"

A Whole Lot of Bark and No Bite From Chelsea

Understandably, Chelsea have been slower off the mark in the transfer market compared to their counterparts. This is because of having just changed over hands from Roman Abramovich to Todd Boehly.

Besides the links to the Dutch international, Matthijs de Ligt, they have been linked with several Manchester City outcasts and top defenders across Europe. Added to this, it appears the two clubs have been in for the same players over recent weeks with both eager to learn about Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation at Manchester United and following his request to leave Old Trafford in the summer.

Chelsea’s new owner has already held talks with Jorge Mendes, Ronaldo’s agent, and they are said to be quite keen on making a statement addition such as Ronaldo. However, it was also said that Munich is his preferred destination. Man United have made it clear they are not prepared to lose last season’s top scorer and will keep him at all costs.

The Blues need to get a move on with their summer deals, as they are falling further behind their counterparts and title rivals. They must start adding players to their roster so that their preseason work gets off to a good start.