Chelsea Lead Liverpool, Man Utd In Huge £103m Transfer Race

• Chelsea Lead Liverpool, Man Utd In Huge £103m Transfer Race.

• Chelsea reportedly boast a healthy lead in the race to sign Matthijs de Ligt this summer, with Thomas Tuchel in the market for defenders.

EDITOR’S PICK

• Fabrizio Romano Confirms Man Utd Are Working To Complete 2 Major Deals
• Erik Ten Set To Make 4 More Signings After De Jong’s Deal [Full List]
• Man Utd Officially Confirm Exits Of 11 Players [Full List]

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Thomas Tuchel has been handed a major boost towards securing the signing of Matthijs de Ligt this summer.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, with the west Londoners eager to replace the departing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

According to Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia, the west Londoners are leading the race to sign the centre-half.

The report adds that De Ligt, who currently sees his deal with the Old Lady expire in 2024, has also courted the interest of Liverpool and Manchester United.

However, the Netherlands international is said to have entered talks with the Juventus over a new deal. And while it may come as an initial blow, reports from Italy have clarified that, should he pen a new contract in Turin, the current €120million (£103m) release clause would be lowered.

The report does not outline what the new fee will be, though a lower clause will come as a major boost for Chelsea should they pull the trigger on a move. But, as it stands, should the Dutchman not pen a new deal and choose to stay at the Old Lady next season, his release clause will reportedly increase to €140million (£121.2m).

De Ligt was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in January, but a move failed to materialise. The Blues were ‘willing to go crazy’ in their efforts to lure the defender, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

But, not unbeknown to Tuchel at the time, Rudiger and Christensen sought futures away from the club. It was only last month that the Blues reignited interest, according to Calciomercato.

Chelsea are said to be serious in their hopes of signing De Ligt and that developments are expected shortly.

FURTHER READING

• Gary Neville Tells Erik Ten 4 Signings To Make This Summer Transfer Window
• Saka Makes Stance On Arsenal Future Amid Man City, Liverpool Links
• Man Utd, Chelsea In Battle To Sign Serie A Star

Winning the defender’s signature could now be more important than first thought, with Jules Kounde set to undergo surgery on a hamstring injury.

Click to watch our video of the week:

---

Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:

Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.

Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.

Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611