KEY POINTS

  • Matthijs de Ligt joined Juventus at $84 million from Ajax
  • The defender is contracted with Juventus until 2024
  • De Ligt is looking for a new challenge, irrespective of Juventus' result this term

Juventus could let defender Matthijs de Ligt, who is a target of Chelsea, leave at the end of the 2021-22 season.

De Ligt's agent Mino Raiola has said they have decided to look for a fresh challenge somewhere else, regardless of what happens in the ongoing campaign.

"He is ready for a new step. He thinks that, too," the Dutch-Italian soccer agent said in an interview with Dutch publication told NRC.

De Ligt has made 19 competitive appearances for Juventus in the 2021-22 season. After 18 matches into the Serie A campaign, the Old Lady are struggling at seventh place in the table.

The center-back started his professional career at Ajax, where he rose through the youth ranks before breaking into the first team. After three seasons in the Amsterdam-based club, De Ligt moved to Juventus at a hefty fee of $84 million on a five-year contract.

Since the 22-year-old is contracted with Juventus until 2024, the Serie A club still has a chance to cash in on the talented defender. Moreover, De Ligt's current market value is around $76 million and is on the rise, according to Transfermarkt.

While speaking regarding the clubs that would be interested in signing De Ligt, Raiola named FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

"I think we all know which clubs to mention for Matthijs de Ligt as 'next step'. We will see this summer. That can be the Premier League, but also FC Barcelona, Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain," Raiola told another Dutch media outlet NOS in a separate interview.

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

On being asked by NOS if Barcelona will be able to sign De Ligt, considering their financial crisis, the soccer agent replied, "Barça will always remain one of the biggest clubs in the world. They have the power to create very big economical deals. It will only take one or two years before Barcelona return again."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Barcelona could withdraw from the race to sign Erling Haaland due to a condition from Raiola.

Along with Haaland, Raiola has offered Barcelona three more players – PSG midfielder Xavi Simons, Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Ajax defender Noussair Mazraoui.

Barcelona have made it clear that they do not want to sign Pogba because of his high demand for wages and the agent commissions that would imply in this case.

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