Boehly now ‘working hard’ to sign £102m star at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is ‘working hard’ to land Matthijs de Ligt, but his negotiations technique is creating ‘chaos’ at Stamford Bridge, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

A Boehly-led consortium completed a £4.25billion takeover in May and, having discussed transfer targets with head coach Thomas Tuchel, are targeting Juventus defender de Ligt.

What’s the latest news involving de Ligt?

Although de Ligt has a £102million release clause written into his contract and Juventus were only willing to sanction his sale if that figure was met during the early stages of negotiations, the Italian giants’ stance seems to have softened.

According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have submitted a proposal worth close to £70million after Bayern Munich entered the race for the Dutchman’s signature.

Jacobs has also suggested that de Ligt is ‘very open’ to securing a switch to Stamford Bridge ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.

Along with Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, the 22-year-old has been identified as a key defensive target and Boehly is eager to conclude negotiations for either centre-half by the end of the week.

However, Bayern Munich also appear to be advancing in talks and have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with de Ligt.

What has Dean Jones said about de Ligt?

Jones understands Boehly has made it his personal mission to beat Bayern Munich to the signing of de Ligt.

However, the transfer insider feels the new Chelsea owner needs to work on his negotiating style.

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Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I know Todd Boehly has been working hard on this and coming up with all sorts of ideas.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s been chaos the way that he is just calling people up and proposing things. It does sound a bit mad.”

Why is de Ligt of interest to Chelsea?

Tuchel’s central defensive options have reduced since the end of last season as Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have joined Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

De Ligt, a 38-cap Netherlands international, has enjoyed a hugely successful start to his career and won trophies in his homeland as well as during his time with Juventus.

Although there is a lucrative buyout clause written into the former Ajax man’s contract, the fact de Ligt has entered the final two years of his £200,000-per-week agreement means a deal could be there to be done.

FBref statistics show de Ligt averaged more blocks and interceptions than Rudiger and an increased number of tackles than Christensen per 90 minutes last term, so it could even be claimed that he would be an upgrade on the departed duo.

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