Real Madrid considering offering stars in exchange for De Ligt

Martin Macdonald

• 30 Oct 2021 10:35 CDT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are reportedly planning a bid for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, though will offer some of their stars in exchange rather than offering a huge sum of money.

The Dutchman, who cost Juventus €75 million in the summer of 2019 after starring for Ajax, often has to compete for minutes on the pitch with legendary Bianconeri defenders Leonardo Bonucco and Giorgio Chiellini.

Though he is regularly involved, De Lift has started six of the 10 matches in Serie A so far.

Rumours of a move don't seem to be going away, and agent Mino Raiola recently fuelled the speculation by saying his client might leave this summer.

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“Matthijs de Ligt is one of the best centre-backs in Europe. He could leave Juventus at the end of the season. Transfer market sometimes works like this”, he told Tuttosport.

This coming summer De Ligt will allegedly have a release clause activate in his contract which will allow him to leave for €150m.

Various clubs in the Premier League, as well as Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid, are interested in a deal, though any of those teams paying the above fee seems unlikely.

Madrid are on the lookout for a new centre-back, with Pau Torres, Wesley Fofana and Jules Kounde on their shortlist as well as De Ligt.

Calciomercato reports that De Ligt is now at the top of the list, but Madrid president Florentino Perez is not willing to pay over the odds and will instead offer players in part or full exchange.

Who will Real Madrid offer for De Ligt?

There are three names who have been mentioned as being part of any deal for De Ligt - Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Luka Jovic.

Hazard's transfer to Real Madrid from Chelsea has been a complete disaster as he has been injured for the majority of his time in the Spanish capital.

In 2021/21 he has made just five starts in all competitions under Carlo Ancelotti, recording one assist.

Ancelotti recently suggested Hazard is free to leave, saying:

"Never in my career as a coach have I forced a player to stay when they want to leave. In my own personal opinion I don't have any doubts about that."

Hazard has been tipped with a return to Chelsea, but Juventus now appears to be an option.

As for Asensio, injuries have also disrupted his Madrid career, though he has been excellent on occasions for the club.

Any departure for the Spaniard may be looking towards the summer, when Kylian Mbappe is expected to join on a free transfer from PSG.

Like Hazard, Jovic has had a torrid time since moving to Madrid and hasn't started a single match in any competition this campaign.