CHELSEA have been offered the chance to sign Juventus defender Matthijs De Ligt, according to reports.
The Serie A giants are desperate to get the Dutchman's £280,000-a-week wages off the books and are hoping to exploit the Blues' desire to add another centre-back to their ranks.
De Ligt, 22, joined the Italian giants for around £67.5million in 2019.
But he hasn't managed to become a nailed on starter since arriving in Turin – being picked for six of their nine Serie A matches so far this season.
De Ligt is reportedly 'content' with his situation at Juve.
But the Old Lady have offered him to the Blues and are keen to get a deal done, according to Goal.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are both out of contract at the end of the season and talks with the Dane are said to have stalled.
As a result the Blues are desperate for a centre-half.
Chelsea remain interested in Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde having come close to signing him in the summer.
But the with LaLiga side holding out for around £70m, the West Londoners have been forced to look elsewhere.
Reports elsewhere suggest Chelsea have already held talks with De Ligt's agent Mino Raoila over a deal.
It is claimed Raiola has already 'threatened' to move De Ligt on.
And he is said to have already spoken to a number of clubs – including Chelsea.
Raiola, 53, is also believed to have been in contact with Manchester City and Barcelona.
'DE LIGT COULD LEAVE'
The super-agent recently said: "De Ligt could leave Juventus at the end of the season.
"This is how the market works, there are many clubs who are interested in his services."
Getting his client out of Turin may not be easy, however, with Max Allegri's side reportedly unwilling to provide a discount on his £125m release clause.
De Ligt has started all three of Juve's Champions League matches so far this term – including the 1-0 win over Thomas Tuchel's Blues.
He has made 84 appearances since joining the Italian side, having previously been picked 117 times as a teenager for Ajax.
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
Chelsea have often avoided dealing with Raiola in the past.
In fact, Blues ace Romelu Lukaku reportedly ditched the Italian's services after failing to seal a return to Stamford Bridge in 2017, when he joined Manchester United instead.
Erling Haaland is among other top stars to be represented by Raiola.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Source: Read Full Article