Juventus Aware Of Bayern Munich's Negotiation With Matthijs De Ligt And Await Chelsea Bid

Juventus are aware that Chelsea target Matthijs de Ligt is in negotiations with Bayern Munich over a potential move this summer, according to reports.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a move to the Blues since the start of the transfer window, with the centre-back seemingly on his way out of Turin ahead of next season.

He has also attracted heavy interest from Bayern Munich within the last week or so, with the Blues now in a transfer battle for the Dutch international.

Signing new defensive recruits is one of the club’s priorities this summer, with senior options for the backline now looking slim amid the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Additions will provide more competition for starting spots in the squad, with de Ligt emerging as one of those who could make the switch to Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.

Matthijs De Ligt of Juventus FC during the match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio. (Alamy)

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, his current club Juventus are aware of the fact that Bayern are currently in negotiations with him over personal terms.

Neither the Bundesliga Champions or the Blues have yet made an official bid for the player, who joined from Ajax in 2019.

Chelsea were revealed to have been preparing their opening offer for de Ligt, which is said to be worth around €70 million plus bonuses.

However while Bayern are not believed to be willing to match such offers for the centre-back, they are focused on trying to convince him to make the move to Germany.

It is said that a move to the Bundesliga is more appealing to de Ligt than the Premier League, but he is also impressed with the way in which Thomas Tuchel is able to get the best out of defenders, as seen with Rudiger before he left the club.

Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus FC reacts during a Serie A football match. (Alamy)

While de Ligt is not exactly a certainty for Chelsea this summer, Nathan Ake is thought to be close to a return to Stamford Bridge.

The Manchester City defender has agreed personal terms with the Blues even though an official bid has not yet been made.

City are looking to acquire between £40-45 million for their Dutch international, who has been at the club for two seasons after he signed from Bournemouth in 2020.

Ake has previously made 17 appearances for Chelsea during his initial spell at the club, before he departed for the Cherries on a permanent deal.

He could be one of the club’s first arrivals this summer, with Raheem Sterling on the verge of signing from City.