Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt could be available on the market next summer after his ‘special’ release clause becomes active next summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Old Lady successfully beat Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Barcelona in the race to sign De Ligt in 2019.
Juventus splashed out a £67.5m transfer fee to sign the 22-year-old Dutch centre-back from Ajax.
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De Ligt, who was captain of Ajax during their Champions League semi-final run in the 2018-19 season, is under contract with Juventus until 2024.
The Netherlands international has now emerged as a target for both Chelsea and Real Madrid, despite Juventus’ desire to keep hold of the highly rated Dutchman.
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Romano has now confirmed that De Ligt has a release clause interested in his Juventus deal by super-agent Mino Raiola.
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The 28-year-old Italian reporter added that the Juventus defender’s release clause is “valid” for €150m (£128.5m) and will activate from summer 2022.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “But in particular, because Matthijs de Ligt has a release clause into his contract with Juventus. This clause is valid from next summer, so 2022, it’s a clause valid for 150millon euros.
“So, De Ligt will be available on the market for 150million euros. This clause was part of the contract since he signed with Juventus, so Mino Raiola was planning for this clause as he did for Erling Haaland with Borussia Dortmund [and] he did the same for De Ligt with Juventus.
“But now this summer will be time for Matthijs de Ligt -- as I say next summer, summer 2022 -- to be available on the market with this clause.”
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Romano admitted it would be “really difficult” to see a club pay De Ligt’s hefty release clause, but he will be available if a team wants to snatch him from Juventus.
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“Of course, it’s a big clause. It will be really difficult to see any club ready to pay this money, but means that the player could be available on the market,” he continued.
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De Ligt is believed to be an important part of Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri’s long-term plans at the club.
The former Ajax star provides a more youthful alternative to Allegri over veteran Italian duo Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, who are 34 and 37 respectively.
However, De Ligt’s long-term future in Turin has been plunged into doubt after the outspoken Raiola claimed that he could leave the club.
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“De Ligt and [Alessio] Romagnoli are among the strongest defenders in Europe. De Ligt has a contract, while Romagnoli’s deal expires next year,” Raiola told Tuttosport (as per CalcioMercato).
“Yes, I think they could play together at Juventus next year, but be careful because De Ligt could also leave Juventus at the end of the season. This is how the market works, there are many clubs who are interested in his services.”
Madrid have identified De Ligt as a potential target for next summer after the departures of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos to Manchester United and PSG respectively.
Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on the Juventus star after failing to land Jules Kounde from Sevilla in the summer.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Matthijs De Ligt, Juventus, Italy, Serie A, Premier League, La Liga, Spain, England, Football, Real Madrid, Chelsea
