It looks like Matthijs de Ligt could indeed be a Chelsea player sooner than predicted. Negotiations seem to have taken a positive turn since it was revealed that Juventus want €100 million for their centre-back. They are reportedly around £10 million apart in negotiations for de Ligt as Juventus are now willing to accept north of £70 million.
As much as Chelsea are in need of a new centre-back or two, is it worth blowing almost half off Todd Boehly’s £200 million transfer window budget? News around Chelsea’s long-term target Jules Kounde has gone quiet since his injury revelation earlier last month. The Frenchman needed surgery on his pelvis and since then Chelsea fans have been sceptical.
The Blues have managed to move on to de Ligt incredibly quickly with the 22-year-old handing Juventus an early transfer request. With his £102 million release clause, it seemed like a transfer would be near impossible.
It looks like Boehly is taking a page out of Marina Granovskaia’s book - not giving in too early, haggling down to the lowest price possible. CBS reporter Ben Jacobs reports that the Blues are willing to pay £60-65 million whilst Juventus are holding out for £75 million despite de Ligt being very open to the move.
The Dutch international is a tremendous defender with heaps of experience under his belt at the tender age of 22, but it’s difficult to ignore the resources that the Blues already possess.
Having broken into the first-team squad last season, Trevoh Chalobah has made an impressive start to his Blues career. The 22-year-old was granted the trust of Tuchel and featured in Chelsea's season 31 times. He is growing into a rounded centre-back, and it would be great to see more of him in the upcoming season. Levi Colwill is another young prospect who has written his name in the lights, especially during his loan spell at Huddersfield. He is held in high regard amongst the Chelsea fan base and should find himself a place in the Chelsea squad sooner rather than later.
There is so much potential between the two youngsters, and it is hard to ignore. As Chelsea look to strengthen their back line, it is imperative that they consider the futures of those that they already have. Colwill may not be experienced enough to take on the challenge of playing for such a big club with massive expectations, but someday he will be, and how will the de Ligt signing have an effect?
To be fair, there are other ways to fit Colwill into the squad if Chelsea do opt-in for de Ligt. Not to worry, the Dutchman has experience playing in the centre of a back three. His dominance and intelligence in that era will come in handy with Thiago Silva set to leave the club next summer.
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