Chelsea 'make Matthijs de Ligt their top target'

Chelsea will reportedly consider an approach for Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, after their failed pursuit of Sevilla's Jules Kounde.

The Blues were keen to recruit a central defender over the summer, with Kounde believed to have been their primary target, however they refused to meet the Frenchman's £68m release clause.

According to Calciomercato, Thomas Tuchel's side are 'very interested' in De Ligt and have now placed the 22-year-old at the top of their wishlist.

The German head coach already has Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at his disposal – who have all impressed so far this campaign – while the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta and Trevor Chalobah have also featured at the heart of defence this term.

However, the future of Rudiger at Stamford Bridge is currently uncertain, with the 28-year-old yet to extend his contract which expires next summer.

Rudiger's potential departure would likely see the Blues push to sign a replacement in 2022, and at present they have identified De Ligt as the central defender they wish to lure to London.

De Ligt, who joined Juventus in 2019 from Ajax, has made 80 appearances across all competitions for the Serie A giants and has also featured 31 times for the Dutch national team.