Chelsea have made a fresh offer to Juventus as they attempt to sign Matthijs de Ligt, with an improved player swap proposal being made.
With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen having departed Stamford Bridge at the end of their contracts, defence is a position that Thomas Tuchel badly needs to strengthen. His options at the back are currently severely depleted, with the Blues still yet to make a signing following Todd Boehly's takeover.
But progress appears to be ramping up, with the Premier League season just over a month away. De Ligt has quickly become Tuchel's top target to boost his defensive options, despite a mixed three years in Serie A.
The Blues are exploring several ways to reach a deal with Juve, including a player exchange, to bring down his price. The Serie A giants paid in the region of £73million for De Ligt and with two years left on his contract they are keen to bring in as high a fee as possible.
According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are now trying to find a breakthrough by offering Christian Pulisic in exchange for De Ligt. Talks are said to have resumed between the two clubs over the potential swap deal.
Though striker Timo Werner has also been discussed as a possible option, it is Pulisic who Juve would prefer to bring in. It is stated that they would prioritise a deal for the American international, despite his struggles with Chelsea since joining from Borussia Dortmund.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Would swapping Christian Pulisic for Matthijs de Ligt be a good deal for Chelsea? Comment below.
He has found it difficult to deliver consistently since arriving in a £58m move from the Bundesliga giants. But that has not stopped Juve from eyeing the 23-year-old, with Chelsea ready to offer him plus a transfer fee to bring in De Ligt.
The centre-back is one of Tuchel's prime targets, but are exploring a player-plus-cash deal in order to avoid paying his full £103m release clause. De Ligt is described as being 'key' to Tuchel's plans for the upcoming season.
And in a boost to the German's hopes of landing his top target, De Ligt has so far been reluctant to sign a new contract with Juve. The Dutchman has previously revealed that their poor performances in recent seasons could lead him to exploring his options away from Turin.
“Negotiations are ongoing at the moment and when the time comes I will decide whether to extend or look elsewhere. I always look at what is best for me in terms of the sporting project," he told NOS earlier this month.
“Two consecutive fourth place finishes are not enough, we have to make progress in that direction because these are disappointing results. Juventus are a club that always wants and must become champions.”
One man who certainly believes that Chelsea should do all they can to sign De Ligt is Italian football legend Alessandro Del Piero. The former Juve striker believes that the Dutchman has the perfect attributes to thrive in the Premier League.
"I think De Ligt has more pace and more potential than he has shown until now. He also has the potential in physicality. He is strong, he is fast, and has no fear at all. That’s why it could be a good move for Chelsea," Del Piero told ESPN.
