Liverpool target Matthijs de Ligt is close to leaving Juventus, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano
The Italian side signed de Ligt from Ajax in 2019 when he was one of Europe’s most promising defensive talents, but the Dutchman is now looking for a way out this summer.
Juventus’ own success has diminished since de Ligt’s arrival at the club, and it would appear he has grown impatient with the Italian giants.
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Romano thus reveals Juventus expect the Dutchman to leave this summer and join either one of Chelsea or Bayern Munich.
This news will disappoint Liverpool fans to an extent. de Ligt has long been viewed as a dream partner in central defence for compatriot Virgil Van Dijk.
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This time last year, Liverpool may have been tempted to lodge a bid for the former Ajax man.
However, after the arrival of Ibrahima Konaté, with there being no signs of either Van Dijk or Joel Matip slowing down despite their age, and with Joe Gomez set to sign a new deal, de Ligt isn’t really needed.
Somewhere the imposing Dutchman is very much needed though is at Chelsea.
The West London club have something of a defensive crisis on their hands following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, and are in desperate need for reinforcement at the back.
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Bear in mind their only current central defensive options are the ageing Thiago Silva, an error prone Malang Sarr, and the relatively unproven pair of Trevor Chalobah and Levi Colwill.
Chelsea really need de Ligt, and another centre-back addition on top of him, if Thomas Tuchel’s defence is to remain secure next season.
As for Bayern, they are another club who could do with adding some fresh faces to their backline.
Following Niklas Süle’s departure, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernandez, and Benjamin Pavard are left as the squad’s only senior central defensive options.
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With both clubs of the opinion they very much need de Ligt, it could be a fierce battle between Chelsea and Bayern to capture his signature.
This is a transfer saga to keep an eye on.
Topics: Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Matthijs De Ligt, Chelsea