Juventus ‘turn down Chelsea’s player-plus-cash bid for Matthijs de Ligt’

Juventus have turned down a bid from Chelsea for Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports, despite both Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic being offered to them. 

Thomas Tuchel is set to be backed heavily in the summer transfer market by new owner Todd Boehly, and he has made bringing in a new defender his priority.

De Ligt, as Sportsmail has recently revealed, is one of his prime targets, with the Blues holding an interest in him despite a reluctance to meet his release clause.

Juventus have reportedly turned down Chelsea’s ambitious proposal for Matthijs de Ligt

Thomas Tuchel is set to be backed this summer and he has made signing a defender a priority

Indeed, Chelsea are said to have kickstarted the bidding with a player-plus-cash package worth around £40million, plus a choice of either Werner or Pulisic.

Italian newspaper Tuttosport, however, have reported that this package has been rebuffed by the Old Lady, with neither player enough to tempt them into a sale.

The same outlet have added that the west London side were conscious of the fact that Juventus and manager Massimiliano Allegri are on the hunt for new forwards.

Timo Werner (left) was offered to the Old Lady, but is not of interest to Massimilano Allegri

He is not believed to be ‘crazy’ on them, though, with Chelsea’s attempt falling short.

Instead, Allegri is keen to sign a more traditional No 9 possessing physicality and strength, with Werner, who has struggled in the Premier League, not fitting the bill.

Out wide, Juventus are targeting free agent Angel Di Maria instead of Pulisic. 

Chelsea are therefore likely to have to table a hefty cash offer to sign De Ligt, with the Serie A heavyweights still reluctant to offload the Holland international. 

De Ligt, as Sportsmail has reported, is hesitating over signing fresh terms with Juventus

Christian Pulisic was also part of the bid from Chelsea, but the Serie A side have other targets

They value their prized asset at around €100m (£86m), a figure which would eclipse the £75m fee that saw Liverpool sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in late 2017.

As reported by Sportsmail yesterday, stalwart De Ligt is hesitating over signing new terms, with his current buy out clause standing at a prohibitive £102m. 

He is open to a Premier League move, but Chelsea would offer less than his clause.