Chelsea are close to locking in a deal with Juventus for their highly regarded centre-back, Matthijs de Ligt. There have been rumours suggesting that the Italian giants would be open to negotiations, however, there is a way that Todd Boehly can skip the back and forth. They could simply trigger de Ligt’s release clause. As easy as that sounds with the Dutchman preferring a Premier League move, it would be an expensive ask.
Sky Sports reports that the Dutch international has a release clause of €120million (£103million) that expires in 2024. Considering Boehly's reported pledge of £200 million to spend in the transfer window, it would leave the Blues with less than left with half their budget with several more necessary signings to be made.
It's safe to assume that the release clause is out of the question, however, Chelsea have been assessing a different route in hopes to alleviate Juventus' asking price. They'd like to throw in a player that they consider to be enough for a swap deal plus additional cash. Timo Werner.
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are ready to offer Timo Werner plus £38 million for the signature of Matthijs de Ligt. Whilst a player swap plus extra cash sounds tantalizing, it may not be enough for the I Bianconeri. Werner cost Chelsea £50m in the summer of 2020. He racked up an impressive goal-scoring record from his time at RB Leipzig and that figure at the time felt like an absolute steal. Since then, the German has struggled in front of goal for the Blues, scoring just nine Premier League goals in two seasons with the club.
Throwing Werner into the sale will not guarantee a deal. The harsh reality is that the forward has had a severe drop-off. Juventus will want a deal worthy of de Ligt's impact, which judging by his release clause could be around £100 million. According to Calciomercato Massimiliano Allegri's side would be looking around €70-80m (£60-70m) for de Ligt plus Timo Werner, so the Blues are quite far off. It seems like an unrealistic deal considering Chelsea's proposed offer of £38 million plus cash but it's not impossible.
As a fan myself, I cannot see a world where Juventus value Timo Werner as highly as Chelsea do. It would require negotiation tactics that only Marina Granovskaia herself could provide. As she is expected to depart from the club at the end of the summer, if Granovskaia could pull this off, it would add to her list of unforgettable transfers alongside Alvaro Morata to Atletico Madrid for £45 million.
This kind of transfer has her name written all over it and Boehly should want to utilise her skills as much as possible before she leaves at the end of the transfer window.
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