Barcelona to battle Chelsea for Juventus’ Matthijs De Ligt

The 2022 January transfer window is closed, but there’s still plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Barca and Blues want De Ligt

Juventus could face a fight to keep hold of Matthijs De Ligt in the summer, with Barcelona ready to battle Chelsea as they look to tempt him to Camp Nou, according to Calciomercato.

The centre-back will enter the final two years of his contract at the end of the season and, with the Serie A club yet to begin contract talks, Xavi Hernandez’s Blaugrana are the latest team to join Chelsea in the race for his signature.

Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri wants to make De Ligt a leader within the Bianconeri as he looks to rebuild the Italian giants, but is reportedly open to moving the Netherlands international on if contract negotiations with the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, don’t go smoothly.

Barcelona are understood to be ready to offer a fee of €75 million for the centre-back, which the Old Lady will seriously consider as it would see them reclaim back the money that they parted ways with when they signed De Ligt from Ajax Amsterdam back in 2019.

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PAPER GOSSIP

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