Chelsea have been linked with both Matthijs de Ligt and Kaliou Koulibaly in this summer’s transfer window. Whilst both options are considered to be enough to fill the void left by Antonio Rudiger in the left centre-back position, it is likely that the Blues will opt for just one. Chelsea are also linked with a move for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde who will occupy the right-sided end of the centre-back pairing.
Despite handing in a transfer request amid Chelsea’s interest in him, a move for de Ligt has not been a walk in the park. Juventus value the 22-year-old at more than £100million as per his release clause. Finances have historically not been much of an issue for the Blues in the Roman Abramovich era but with their new, data-savvy owner Todd Boehly, we are yet to see how far he is willing to go.
Spending £100million on a defender is probably on the extreme end of valuations. For a 22-year-old, it would be an expensive gamble for Boehly. A price of £40million for a vastly experienced, skilled and powerful defender is a much more attainable option - and one of those just might be available.
