Chelsea set to battle Liverpool and Barcelona for star Serie A defender amid transfer dilemma

Chelsea are interested in a move for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt this summer, according to reports. It comes as the Blues are set for a complete overhaul to their defensive ranks in the transfer window.

That is because Thomas Tuchel is set to lose two first-team centre-backs in Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, with both contracts expiring this summer. It means that the German manager will have to make a number of additions this summer to freshen up his squad.

Speaking about the upcoming task, he said: “We are hoping [to be back to normal] but at the moment we are not. You ask many times if we have a delay in approaching players and making plans, of course a huge delay.

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“We are affected by it [sanctions], players are going out. We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging but we are up for the challenge.”

A number of players have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, from Sevilla’s Jules Kounde to Torino’s Gleison Bremer. However, the latest name to be added to the mix is a previously reported target.

That is Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, who Calciomercato claim the Blues are on standby for a potential transfer. They aren’t alone