Chelsea suffer huge setback as Bayern Munich join Matthijs de Ligt pursuit

Cameron Smith

Updated: 4 Jul 2022 18:00 BST
3 min read

Matthijs de Ligt, Juventus, 2021-22 — © ProShots

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have reportedly joined the race to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt this summer.

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The Bavarians have won 10 league titles on the trot in Germany and are looking to strengthen their squad even further this transfer window.

They have already added Sadio Mane from Liverpool and Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax as Julian Nagelsmann prepares for his second season in the Allianz Arena dugout.

However, the have left Niklas Sule on a free transfer to rivals Borussia Dortmund and are so far yet to replace him.

But, it's now been reported by Sky Germany that Bayern have now joined the race for De Ligt's signature and talks have already begun positively.

According to Sky's Florian Plettenberg, De Ligt wants to join the Bavarian giants after initial talks with Nagelsmann and Hasan Salihamidzic impressed him. It's understood that talks between Bayern and Juventus have now started, although the Bianconeri's asking price may prove too expensive for Bayern. Juventus are currently demanding between €60m and €80m, with the price likely to slide closer to the higher end of that scale.

Bayern have reportedly identified De Ligt as the next leader of their backline, which is something that was communicated to the Dutchman during initial talks.

© ProShots - Matthijs de Ligt could leave Juventus this summer

A huge blow to Chelsea

Chelsea have led the race for De Ligt for a considerable amount of time, but the report from Sky Germany suggests that the player would now rather join Bayern following talks and is hopeful of agreeing a deal.

Thomas Tuchel's side have prioritised the former Ajax defender as their number one defensive target this summer, with Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic both being suggested as possible make-weights in a deal.

However, it now seems as though De Ligt is set to snub the Blues in order to join the most dominant domestic side in Europe's top five leagues.