Juventus have informed Chelsea that they are open to discussing the sale of centre-back Matthijs de Ligt if Christian Pulisic is available in exchange,
New Blues owner Todd Boehly is willing to sanction Thomas Tuchel’s rejig of the squad this summer and De Ligt has now emerged as their top defensive target. The Dutchman has failed to agree the terms of an extension at Juventus and is understood to be interested in speaking with Chelsea.
Juventus are reluctant to lose De Ligt but acknowledge that a lucrative sale could be too good to turn down. A fee of €100m has been suggested, and although Chelsea have not met that figure just yet, 90min understands Boehly has indicated a willingness to increase his offer.
To try and sweeten the deal, Boehly has offered a host of players to Juve, who were initially hoping for a cash-only offer, Bianconeri would be interested in receiving Pulisic in exchange.
Chelsea are open to offloading Pulisic this summer and have also indicated that Timo Werner is available in discussions as well. Juve are interested in both but Pulisic is understood to be their preferred option.
Juventus have confirmed they are open to a swap deal and a bid from Chelsea is expected to arrive in the coming days, with the Blues now quietly confident of getting a deal done.
Those in charge at the Allianz Stadium are already looking for potential replacements for De Ligt and have a list of potential targets which includes Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Torino’s Gleison Bremer and Presnel Kimpembe of PSG.
That trio of centre-backs have also been linked to Chelsea as the Blues look to bring in at least two new defenders this summer.
Talks are on with Manchester City over Nathan Ake, who is free to leave the Premier League champions this summer, while interest in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde has not faded.
Sources have even indicated that Chelsea could move for three new centre-backs this summer as they look to fix a back line that has lost Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma over the past 12 months and may well end up without Barcelona target Cesar Azpilicueta before the transfer window is over.
