Juventus want to use Werner as the makeweight in a deal for de Ligt

Juventus are focusing on Chelsea striker Timo Werner as the makeweight in a deal for Matthijs de Ligt who has expressed a willingness to move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have already seen a €40m (£34.4m) bid including Timo Werner for the Netherlands international rejected by the Old Lady - but remain confident in getting a deal over the line. 

Thomas Tuchel is hoping to make the Juventus defender his first acquisition of the summer window, whilst the club also remain in talks with Manchester City over duo Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake.

The Blues primary concern is to make defensive reinforcements this window after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Despite their £34.4m bid including Werner getting rejected, de Ligt remains keen on a move to west London and is hoping his club will accept a bid lower than the £102m release clause in his contract.

Gallery: Bundesliga transfer window 2022 - updates (DW)

The Serie A side are interested in using the German forward as part of a deal for the defender however the two clubs are yet to come to an agreement over a fee.  

Chelsea are willing to offer either Werner or USA international Christian Pulisic as part of a deal to bring the Dutch centre-back to Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel's side also remain in talks with Manchester City in a move for Raheem Sterling and Nathan Ake, though a deal for the latter is difficult.

Sportsmail previously reported that new owner Todd Boehly had made contact with the Premier League champions with a view to wrapping up a deal for Sterling over the coming week.

The Englishman has already held positive discussions with boss Tuchel over how he would be utilised at Stamford Bridge, with that conversation solidifying the 27-year-old's