Premier League holders Manchester City are backed to be in line to hijack Chelsea’s approach for Juventus centre-back Matthijs De Ligt.
The Dutch defender has been eyed up by the Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel in the recent past with the need for reinforcements at the back for Stamford Bridge growing by the day amid the speculation over Antonio Rudiger’s future with the club.
Rudiger is demanding a major hike in his wages to pen a new deal at Stamford Bridge beyond the next summer and should Chelsea fail to entertain his demands, the central defender will be tipped to sign for his suitors Real Madrid.
Reports from the Italian news publication Calciomercato ( via The Daily Express) claim that Tuchel’s target De Ligt has emerged on the radar of Pep Guardiola’s camp at the Etihad Stadium and City have touched base with the player’s agent Mino Raiola.
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Tuchel has alternative names lined up from the transfer market, according to the rumour mill, with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde still a top name on the shopping list for the Blues manager after this summer’s failed swoop.
