Report: Liverpool target asks Italian club to lower €125m release clause | OneFootball

Transfer News: Matthijs de Ligt asks Juventus to lower his price tag amidst Liverpool, Chelsea, and Barcelona interest

According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness (h/t Liverpool Echo), Matthijs de Ligt has asked Juventus to lower his lofty release clause amidst apparent transfer interest from Liverpool.

Chelsea and Barcelona are also linked with a move for the defender who has a release clause of €125million. His contract expires in the summer of 2024 and his buyout clause could increase up to €140million next season.

de Ligt joined Juve in a high-profile move from Ajax back in 2019. Even at his young age, he captained the Amsterdam-based outfit to the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League semi-final.

Matthijs de Ligt is on the transfer radar of Liverpool, Chelsea, and Barcelona. (Photo by MAURICE VAN STEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

The Reds’ links to the defender come as a surprise because of the depth they currently possess in that area. Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate are already vying amongst themselves for regular starts.

It has come to a point where Jurgen Klopp has to play Gomez down the right-hand side of his defence in the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold in order to give him some minutes. In such a situation, it is hard to see who makes way for de Ligt in the starting XI.

No need for de Ligt?

He is still just 22 and has his prime years ahead of him. There is no doubt about his ability as a centre-back, with the big Dutchman a formidable presence in his club and national team’s defence.

But with the numbers mentioned above, his release clause is premium and perhaps would make more sense if one of our current centre-backs departs the club in the near future.

Matthijs De Ligt (L) celebrates with Netherlands’ defender Virgil Van Dijk. (Photo: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

There is still uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. It is best if the Reds save their time, energy, and funds in case they have to find a replacement for our acclaimed trio up front.

He has partnered Liverpool’s van Dijk in Holland’s defence and has also been teammates with ex-LFC star Georginio Wijnaldum. Whether he becomes another Dutch star to wear Liverpool red remains to be seen.