Chelsea joined by Real Madrid in the race to sign 22-year-old Serie A defensive star

Chelsea handed blow in Matthijs de Ligt chase as Real Madrid also register interest

According to Calciomercato (h/t ESPN), Chelsea will be joined by Real Madrid in their chase to sign Matthijs de Ligt. 

De Ligt, who signed for Juventus from Ajax for €75million in the summer of 2019, has been of interest to the Blues despite being closely linked to Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.

The Blues, who currently possess the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Trevoh Chalobah, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, and Andreas Christensen in the centre-back roles, could do with adding another defender to the fold. 

Rudiger has entered the final year of his contract and Real Madrid and PSG have targeted a potential move for the German. Thiago is 37 and in the final year of his contract, and it remains to be seen whether he will sign a new deal at the club.

Christensen & Azpilicueta are also in the final year of their contracts with the latter turning 32 this year. Thus, adding a central defender, especially one of Matthijs de Ligt’s ilk, would certainly add a more youthful approach to the defensive line.

However, the Blues will not lead a one-horse race to sign the Dutchman from Turin as Real Madrid are also said to be keen on bolstering their defence with his signing. 

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The 13-time Champions League winners lost both Raphael Varane & Sergio Ramos this summer and are keen on a move for a ‘top’ centre-back, according to Calciomercato with De Ligt emerging as one of their targets (h/t ESPN).

The 22-year-old has featured 78 times for the Old Lady in his last two years at the Serie A club, but it remains to be seen which shirt will he be playing in beyond this season.