Report: Chelsea think 22-year-old is too expensive, focussed on signing ‘one of the best defenders in Europe’ now

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea have reportedly deemed Juventus’s Matthijs de Ligt too expensive to sign this summer.

According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are now set to turn their attention to Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar as their marquee defensive signing in this window.

The Blues had reportedly put the Dutchman at the top of their list of targets for defensive reinforcements, even tabling an offer involving forward Timo Werner.

While the 22-year-old’s release clause is up at £103m, the club were hoping the offer of the German, a player Juventus are keen on, would help them reach a more considerable fee.

However, the Daily Mail have claimed the club have cooled their interest in De Ligt, with the requested price leading them to look elsewhere in the Italian league.

They suggest the Blues have turned to Inter captain Skriniar as their main target to replace the recently departed Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

The Slovakian has been a staple of the Nerazzurri’s defence for a number of years, although the club’s financial woes could see them forced into a big-money sale.

His consistent performances in Serie A drew him praise in Italy, with former defender Jan Durica claiming he is “one of the best defenders in Europe”.

Chelsea face competition for the 27-year-old from PSG, who have already had a £52m bid rejected by Inter.

That highlights that Skriniar, himself, is hardly a cheap addition – but he could cost far less than De Ligt, who seems to be one of the most costly defenders on the market this summer.

TCC View

Chelsea are in need of a big-name signing at the back, with links to De Ligt, Skriniar and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde floating around for a long time.

With the bid Inter have already rejected for Skriniar, it is likely his price will rise to a point where it’s not far off that Chelsea could negotiate for De Ligt.

With the opportunity to utilise Juventus’ interest in Werner, the club should not move away from the Dutchman as their main target, with his young age creating the potential for a decade long spell at Stamford Bridge.