Chelsea Ready To Offer Timo Werner In Player-Plus-Cash Deal For Juventus' Matthijs De Ligt

Chelsea are ready to offer Timo Werner in a player-plus-cash deal for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports.

Thomas Tuchel is on the lookout for several defenders to add to his side ahead of next season following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

It’s an area that is known by the Chelsea head coach and new owners to improve on this summer. 

"The key is to basically work with Tuchel to come up with the best players that are available,” a senior source told The Telegraph this week.

"We really want to make sure we have a good defence. We've got depth in midfield. We're not desperate for an out-and-out striker.

“Fortunately, there's reasonable opportunities in the market right now in order to satisfy the fans' desire to be competitive.”

Now that it has been acknowledged of the additions needed, Tuchel’s targets have been De Ligt, Nathan Ake and Presnel Kimpembe.

It has been revealed that long-term target Jules Kounde is still of interest, but he is more of a club target. 

Following De Ligt’s contract talks with Juventus in recent days, Chelsea have stepped up their interest in the 22-year-old who has a €120 million release clause.

Now they are ready to make an offer of between €20 and €25 million plus Timo Werner to try to convince the Old Lady to agree to a transfer, as reported by Sky Italy and Nathan Gissing. 

It’s claimed that Juventus are holding out for more, with the Blues only willing to increase the cash sum by €20 million to between €40 and €45 million. 

Both players are suggested to be open and keen on making the switch to England and Italy respectively should an agreement be reached between the two clubs. 

Tuchel has been promised up to six signings this summer and will be given full control over incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge. 

"I think it's a combination of moves and there's five or six that we're going to look to make,” added the source to The Telegraph on the transfer window and the club’s strategy.

Werner only joined Chelsea in the summer of 2020 for a £47.5 million transfer fee from RB Leipzig but it hasn't quite worked out the way he had hoped it would.

Chelsea are also willing to listen to offers for Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech this summer, with reports suggesting AC Milan are keen on taking the Moroccan.

It's now starting to get busy in west London as Todd Boehly and co make their move in the transfer window.