Chelsea risk losing De Ligt as Bayern take the lead
Daniel Edwards
- Updated: 5 Jul 2022 15:34 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea's efforts to reinforce their defence with the signing of Matthijs de Ligt have hit a significant obstacle in the shape of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
The Netherlands international looks set to be leaving Juventus this summer after three mixed seasons with the club following his move from Ajax in 2019.
He has no shortage of suitors, with Chelsea among the front-runners for his signature.
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The Blues are in dire need of new blood at the back, having lost a number of key defenders already in the transfer window.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have both left, for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, while the Catalans have also been linked with further approaches for Cesar Azpilicueta and Marco Alonso.
Despite his mixed form for Juve De Ligt, 22, is still rated as one of Europe's best young defenders and would be a valuable addition to the set-up at Stamford Bridge.
But to get their man Chelsea may have to fight off a stiff challenge from Bayern, who are also keen to bolster their backline.
Bayern move for Dutch defender
Fresh from completing a move for Liverpool ace Sadio Mane, the Bavarians are now looking to strengthen elsewhere.
According to Sport 1, De Ligt favours Bayern's approach and even has a verbal agreement to move to Germany this summer, which would be a big blow to Chelsea's own plans.
The Dutchman has admired Bayern since childhood and would have jumped at the chance to sign with the club back in 2019 instead of Juventus.
"Did you know that we almost brought Matthijs de Ligt to Munich?" De Ligt's late agent Mino Raiola told Sport 1 earlier this year.
"We were in very good talks. Too bad it didn't work out in the end."
De Ligt has made a total of 117 appearances for Juventus in all competitions, scoring eight goals and lifting the Serie A and Coppa Italia titles.
