Liverpool centre-half Virgil van Dijk has already approved the potential Chelsea signing of his Holland national teammate Matthijs de Ligt with his seven-word verdict amid the Juventus defender reportedly handing in a 'transfer request'.
Jules Kounde is nailed on to become one of the first Chelsea defensive signings this summer as Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel are set to spend a large chunk of the £200million transfer budget on defensive reinforcements to compensate for the Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departures. Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta could follow suit next meaning multiple players have to be brought in with the Sevilla man top of that list. The fee is the only stumbling block in negotiations currently as the Blues try and secure a reduced price fee for the 23-year-old who is desperate to get his dream move this summer.
Worryingly though, Barcelona are still lingering in this race but their interest isn't expected to derail Chelsea in their efforts as they are expected to wrap up a deal in the near future to end this long transfer pursuit. In addition, Lens full-back Jonathan Clauss is target number one if Azpilicueta was to seal his dream Barca move this summer. But the business in the backline doesn't stop there as it was understood that a Premier League-proven option was being searched for as a potential partner to Kounde with this certain plan now in jeopardy after what has happened with De Ligt.
READ MORE: Matthijs De Ligt tells Chelsea why their Todd Boehly 'sporting project' gives them transfer hope
The Juventus centre-half has always been a prime target for the Blues but his mega £103million release clause had deterred the current World Champions in their efforts to test the waters in this situation. "The prospect of signing de Ligt this summer was floated to Chelsea earlier in the season as he is on big money at Juventus. But the Dutchman is currently in talks over a new deal with Juve and the first-choice centre-back signing for Chelsea remains Kounde," football.london's Chelsea Chief correspondent Adam Newson had updated in his most recent Q&A a few weeks ago.
So with the news that talks have broken down over a new contract which has now resulted in Juventus' number 4 requesting a Chelsea and Premier League move, it would be logical for Boehly to shelve the Premier League criteria and instead go hell for leather for a player who is still years away from his prime at 22 but is regarded already as one of the best centre-backs in the world and European football.
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport have run with the title on their back page which translates to 'De Ligt wants the Premier.' A situation that wasn't expected to unfold after the Dutch player in question announced that despite his frustrations at seeing both Milan clubs reign superior in Serie A over the last few seasons, that he would hold contract negotiations over extending his current deal which is set to run out in 2024.
Other reports from the likes of La Repubblica have even gone as far to say that Chelsea, in spite of interest from Man United and Man City, are the most willing to invest around £60m to sign the defender. Their report goes on to clarify that the Blues' offer is the most 'concrete' one on the table at this current moment.
The key question is whether or not the once Ajax prodigy is worth the £60m gamble? Well, his international compatriot Van Dijk, who is arguably one of the best defenders in the world, has previously issued a seven-word verdict on De Ligt which spells good news for some Chelsea fans who may question the signing if it was to go through later in this window.
Back in 2019, he was quoted as saying: "I think Matthijs is a fantastic player." Obviously, a lot has changed form-wise from his Ajax days but as the saying goes - 'form is temporary, class is permanent.'
Chelsea fans - do you agree with Van Dijk and would you take the big money punt on signing Matthijs de Ligt over any other options who have been touted around as a potential Jules Kounde partner for 2022/23? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comments section!
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