Chelsea have received a boost in their search to sign a new defender after it emerged Juventus are keen on signing Alessio Romagnoli from rivals AC Milan. The west London outfit failed in their attempts to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla this summer but could prioritise strengthening again when the winter transfer window opens in January.
Kounde, 22, was keen to join the Blues only for the LaLiga outfit to alter their demands in the final moments of transfer deadline day.
The France international has remained at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and has backed down over his demands to leave.
And while it cannot be ruled out that Chelsea will revive their attempts to snare the Frenchman in two months’ time, there is another target on their shortlist.
It appears that Juventus are open to discussing a deal to sell centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, report Goal, who was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the summer.
The 22-year-old has been with the Serie A giants since joining in a £63m move from Ajax in 2019.
Mino Raiola: The agent of Matthijs de Ligt could engineer a move that could boost Chelsea's chances (Image: Getty Images)
De Ligt impressed after playing the full 90 minutes as Allegri's side beat Chelsea 1-0 to go top of their Champions League group earlier in October.
Largely viewed as a long-term replacement for veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini, De Ligt has cast doubt over his future with Juve despite playing regularly under Massimliano Allegri.
His agent, Mino Raiola, has already fuelled speculation his client could be about to cut short his stay in Turin and seek a move elsewhere.
“De Ligt could also leave Juventus at the end of the season,” said Raiola.
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If the Old Lady were successful in their attempts to lure the Italy international to the Allianz Stadium, it may hand Chelsea the opportunity to steal in to sign De Ligt.
De Ligt, who was heavily linked with a switch to Manchester United before deciding to join Juventus two years ago, has also been offered to Manchester City and Barcelona.
But with neither club particularly keen to sign another defender for such a high sum, Chelsea are likely to have a free run at snapping up the Netherlands star.
Chelsea are being forced to look search for alternative options after being locked in talks with centre-backs Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger over new long-term contracts.
Thomas Tuchel: Chelsea coach is looking to sign a defender (Image: Getty Images)
The pair have become key members of the squad under Tuchel having been frozen out by Frank Lampard.
But as it stands, Rudiger and Christensen will be able to discuss a move to foreign clubs in January and leave as a free agent at the end of the season.
It is believed both players would prefer to stay at Stamford Bridge and the only issue to iron out is their salary demands.
Should the Blues fail to find an agreement, it could force Tuchel and Marina Granovskaia to revisit their transfer plans.