KEY POINTS

  • Matthijs De Ligt is contracted with Juventus until 2024
  • He moved from Ajax to Juventus in 2019
  • Bayern's boss Nagelsmann is an admirer of De Ligt

Chelsea are reportedly preparing an improved bid for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt in the summer window.

After Juventus rejected Chelsea's opening bid, the Blues have offered a new deal that includes $85 million-plus $12 million as bonuses, reported La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Serie A side has leverage over the negotiations as De Ligt is still contracted with the club until 2024.

Chelsea lost two central defenders – Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – in the current transfer window. Both center-backs left on a free transfer to La Liga giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona respectively.

Chelsea are looking to sign at least one defender and have been linked with De Ligt since the start of the 2022 summer window.

Matthijs de Ligt, his head heavily bandaged, takes on Karl Toko-Ekambi in the Champions League last-16 first leg between Lyon and Juventus
Matthijs de Ligt, his head heavily bandaged, takes on Karl Toko-Ekambi in the Champions League last-16 first leg between Lyon and Juventus AFP / FRANCK FIFE

The Stamford Bridge side never looked to be in the Premier League title race last season, while they lost two finals – FA Cup and League Cup, both to Liverpool.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel wants to bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign to make them compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Bayern Munich have also entered the race to sign the 22-year-old De Ligt, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, who also claimed that the Dutch defender wants a move to Allianz Arena. Bayern boss Nagelsmann is highly impressed with the defender and talks have begun between Juventus and the Munich-based club.

However, the offer from the Bundesliga champions is slightly less, but the club would be ready to recognize more substantial bonuses that would see them go equal on terms with the Blues.

With Robert Lewandowski on his way out, Bayern Munich are trying to strengthen all their departments ahead of the 2022-23 term. The club already signed Sadio Mane from Liverpool and also added Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax.

De Ligt, who rose through Ajax's youth setup, made his senior debut during the 2016-17 season. After spending three campaigns with Ajax's first team, De Ligt moved to Juventus in the summer of 2019. He played a key role when the Turin side won three trophies, including the Serie A title in the 2019-20 season.

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