Real Madrid are reportedly willing to offer two of Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic as part of a deal to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt.
According to a report from Italian publication Calciomercato.it, Real Madrid are very much interested in securing the services of Juventus and Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt and are willing to offer two players in exchange to push through a deal.
De Ligt broke onto the scenes as a teenager at AFC Ajax and soon became one of the most coveted young defenders in Europe after leading the Dutch giants to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19. The following summer, Juventus splashed big bucks to sign the centre-back, but his time in Italy hasn’t been smooth sailing.
De Ligt has been unable to establish himself as a regular starter at the Allianz Stadium, having shared game-time with senior defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. As a result, the Netherlands international has grown frustrated in Turin and is seeking a move away at the end of the season.
Chelsea have been in talks to sign de Ligt as they look to replace the soon-to-be out-of-contract Antonio Rudiger. The German international is in the final year of his contract and is yet to agree an extension, leading to major speculations over his future. In addition, both Andreas Christensen and Thiago Silva will also run out of their deals at the end of the season, with de Ligt emerging as a target to bolster the defence.
But Real Madrid are also very much keen on securing the 22-year-old’s signing next year. This past summer, the Merengues lost two of their most experienced defenders when both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane left the Santiago Bernabeu for Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, respectively.
David Alaba was brought in on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, and the Austrian has settled in well at the Spanish capital club. Eder Militao has also done well over the past year, but Nacho Fernandez is not getting any younger, while manager Carlo Ancelotti does not favour Jesus Vallejo.
As a result, another central defender is very much a necessary addition for Los Blancos next summer. De Ligt, given his age and proven pedigree at the highest level, would be an excellent option for Real Madrid. However, considering that he has a massive release clause worth €150 million, they are hoping to decrease his transfer fee by offering two players in exchange.
As per the report, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio and Luka Jovic are the options that Real Madrid will present Juventus with and let them choose two among the three. Asensio, among these, has already been on their radars in the past and such a proposition could appeal to the Bianconeri.
In addition to Real Madrid and Chelsea, there have been reports of interest from Manchester United, PSG, and Barcelona in de Ligt. And it remains to be seen where he ends up come summer. For now, Los Blancos are contemplating a player-plus-cash deal to secure the Dutchman’s signing.
