Chelsea keen on Matthijs de Ligt transfer as centre-back’s agent holds showdown talks with Juventus

CHELSEA are reportedly keen on signing Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt.

The Blues are desperate for reinforcements at centre-back after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen quit the club.

There has been longstanding interest in Sevilla ace Jules Kounde, who is also a target for Barcelona.

But multiple additions may be necessary to cope with the loss of two first-team regulars.

And Juventus centre-back De Ligt is someone the Blues are “very interested” in signing, according to in Italy.

But Chelsea are said to have zero intention of paying the £103million release clause in the 22-year-old Dutch international’s contract.

De Ligt has two years left on his current Juve deal and the Serie A giants will only consider offers that are close to his release figure.

The news comes after Juventus bosses met De Ligt’s agent Rafaela Pimenta today.

Although the main talking point of those discussions was claimed to be Paul Pogba.

Pimenta also represents released Manchester United midfielder Pogba, who has been strongly linked with a summer return to Juventus.

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Italian journalist claims talks between the two parties are in the final stages, with Juve ironing out the details for the 29-year-old’s return.

It’s expected Pogba will push for either a four-year deal or a three-year deal with the option for an additional season.

Should an agreement be reached, Pogba will fly into Turin between July 5 and 8 to undergo his medical and put pen to paper on his contract.

Pimenta has taken over from the late Mino Raiola in representing both De Ligt and Pogba.

Raiola asked Brazilian lawyer Pimenta to take over the reins of his business before he passed away.