Chelsea are STILL pursuing a deal for Juventus defender Matthjis de Ligt, as they resume talks over a swap deal that would see Christian Pulisic join the Italian giants
- Matthijs de Ligt is thought to be a priority for Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side
- The blues will not pay de Ligt’s release clause, opting instead for a swap deal
- They are hoping to match the defender with his Holland teammate Nathan Ake
- Juventus would take Christian Pulisic over fellow Chelsea striker Timo Werner
Chelsea have resumed talks with Juventus over a potential swap deal involving Christian Pulisic plus cash for Matthijs de Ligt.
Juventus would prioritise a deal for the USA captain ahead of Chelsea striker Timo Werner who has also been discussed.
Thomas Tuchel is set to be backed heavily in the summer transfer market by new owner Todd Boehly, and he has made bringing in a new defender his priority.
Juventus would take USA captain Christian Pulisic over fellow Chelsea striker Timo Werner
De Ligt, as Sportsmail has recently revealed, is one of his prime targets, with the Blues holding an interest in him despite a reluctance to meet his release clause.
The Holland international defender is key to Tuchel’s plans as he hopes to team him with compatriot Nathan Ake from Manchester City.
De Ligt is hesitating over signing new terms with Juventus, but may need persuading that a move to Stanford Bridge would suit him.
Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt is thought to be a priority for Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side
Chelsea have also spoken about City’s full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko with City keen to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and Sevilla defender Jules Kounde remain an options for Chelsea while they have also been offered the chance to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen is wanted by Feyenoord to replace Manchester united-bound Tyrell Malacia.