Manchester City are reportedly looking to beat Chelsea to the signing of Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus by offering a swap deal, according to reports.
Chelsea are looking to bolster their back line this summer after losing two of their main centre backs in Andreas Christiansen and Antonio Rudiger, following the expiration of their contracts.
The Blues have been heavily linked with Matthijs de Ligt and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has made the Juventus man his main target, according to a report by Calcio Mercato.
The report however adds that Manchester City are also interested in De Ligt, and are willing to offer Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ilkay Gundogan in exchange for the Dutchman.
Matthijs de Ligt reportedly has a release clause of €115million in his Juventus contract and joined the Italian side from Ajax in 2019.
We’re not sure how true this report is but it doesn’t exactly make sense, seeing as Pep Guardiola already has an array of defensive talents at his disposal, including, John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Aymeric Laporte.
But of course, with Nathan Ake’s departure to Cheslea also a likelihood, it is not out of place that another defender is being linked with City.
De Ligt does fit the bill if that is the case, as he’s just 22 and has so much potential with many years ahead of him.
Meanwhile, Cheslea have reportedly made signing Raheem Sterling their priority for the summer transfer window, according to CBS’s Ben Jacobs.
Sterling has entered the final 12 months of his Manchester City contract, and is expected to depart the Etihad this summer, following the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
Man City are said to be hoping to receive an opening bid from Chelsea for Sterling, who has been assured of game time at Stamford Bridge. The reigning champions of England are also believed to be open to the idea of selling the pacy attacker to a Premier league rival.
Pep Guardiola’s side have placed a £50 million valuation on Sterling, and Thomas Tuchel is believed to be a huge admirer of the Englishman.
