Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is looking to bolster his already talented squad with the addition of a defender from Serie A. Reports suggest that the club is willing to spend £103 million on the player, making him one of the most expensive defenders in the transfer market. Meanwhile, Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt is rumored to be unhappy and looking for a move to Spain, with Barcelona also eyeing potential upgrades in their defense for the upcoming season.
Chelsea Targeting Serie A Star Defender, de Ligt on Barcelona's Radar
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly set to make a significant investment in his defense, with a £103 million move for a Serie A defender in the works. The club's interest comes amid rumors that Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt is unhappy and seeking a move to Spain.
Chelsea's Defensive Bolstering
Tuchel has identified a need to strengthen his defense, which has occasionally struggled this season despite boasting several top-class players. The Blues have been linked with a number of defenders from across Europe, but their pursuit of a Serie A target suggests they have narrowed their search.
The unnamed defender is said to be highly rated and has impressed for his current club. Chelsea is reportedly willing to break their transfer record for a defender to secure his services.
De Ligt's Exit Rumors
Meanwhile, rumors persist that Matthijs de Ligt is unhappy at Juventus and is keen on a move to Spain. The Dutch international has been a key player for the Bianconeri but is believed to be drawn to the prospect of playing for a club with greater ambitions in European competitions.
Barcelona is reportedly one of the clubs interested in de Ligt, who would be a major upgrade to their defense. The Catalan giants are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season and could be willing to meet Juventus' demands for a hefty transfer fee.
FAQs
Q: Who is Chelsea's target defender? A: The defender's identity has not been revealed, but he is reportedly a highly-rated star from Serie A.
Q: How much is Chelsea willing to spend on the defender? A: Chelsea is reportedly willing to spend £103 million, which would make him one of the most expensive defenders in history.
Q: Why is De Ligt unhappy at Juventus? A: De Ligt is reportedly unhappy with Juventus' lack of ambition in European competitions and is seeking a move to a club with greater aspirations.
Q: Which clubs are interested in De Ligt? A: Barcelona is reportedly one of the clubs interested in De Ligt, along with several other top European clubs.
Q: What is the potential transfer fee for De Ligt? A: Juventus is reportedly demanding a hefty transfer fee for De Ligt, with estimates ranging between €75-100 million.
The New York Knicks were interested in Deandre Ayton before he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, and reportedly received strong reviews about his leadership and fit with star center Karl-Anthony Towns from Portland. Despite Ayton's issues, the Blazers spoke highly of him and did not discredit him when speaking to other organizations. In the end, Ayton joined the Lakers with hopes of helping the team return to the playoffs. The Knicks signed power forward Guerschon Yabusele instead.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot expressed profound sorrow and solidarity with the family of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash along with his brother. Jota, a fan favourite known for his tireless work ethic and crucial goals, had played an instrumental role in Liverpool's Premier League title run. As tributes pour in from across the footballing world, Slot and Liverpool have vowed to keep Jota's memory alive.
The football world was left in shock and mourning after the tragic news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, in a car crash while on holiday in Spain. The 28-year-old forward, who also played for Portugal and various club teams, was remembered by his former teammates and colleagues, including Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, and fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. The football community offers their condolences to the Jota family and hopes for peace for their loved ones in this difficult time.
In a devastating blow to the sporting world, Portugal and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car crash in Spain. Jota, who was only 28 years old, and Silva, who was 25, were involved in the accident while trying to overtake another car on a highway near the Portuguese border. The news of Jota's death has not only sent shockwaves through the football community, but also touched the hearts of athletes from other sports, such as 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal who expressed his condolences for the young player and his family.
After a thrilling match at Wimbledon, Marin Cilic emerged victorious over Jack Draper, booking his spot in the third round. The former US Open champion showed off his impressive serving skills, firing 16 aces against the Briton. In his on-court interview, Cilic expressed his emotions and credited his team for their support throughout his long and dedicated career. With this win, he also made history by becoming the third-oldest player to defeat a top-five opponent at Wimbledon, surpassing big names like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
World champion Magnus Carlsen has raised doubts about reigning champion Gukesh's performance in shorter time control formats, ahead of their first face-off since the infamous table smashing incident in Norway Chess. However, Gukesh has started strong in the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia, leading the 10-player field along with Carlsen himself. The event will see players compete in rapid and blitz formats, where Gukesh has struggled in the past. With tough competition in the field, including Gukesh's compatriot Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen will have to prove himself against Gukesh in rapid and blitz games.
Harry Brook, the white-ball captain of England, has revealed his reasons for opting out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his desire to participate in the tournament in the future. Despite being bought by Delhi Capitals for a whopping INR 6.25 crore, Brook chose to prioritize his duties to the national team, violating BCCI's new rule. However, he remains hopeful of playing in the IPL after his two-year suspension. In the ongoing series against India, Brook impressed with 99 runs in the first test and also praised Indian player Rishabh Pant.
Shubman Gill, the captain of Team India, made an impressive performance on day 2 of the ongoing Test against England at Edgbaston, becoming the Indian captain with the highest test score by scoring 269 runs. India's new number four batsman proved to be a major problem for England's bowling attack. Meanwhile, Indian pacer Akash Deep made a comeback after giving 11 runs in the first over, picking up two wickets in two balls in the third over of England's innings, putting pressure on the opposition's top order.
In the second Test match between India and England, Indian skipper Shubman Gill dominated the field with an incredible 269 off 387 deliveries, setting the record for the highest individual score by an Indian player against England. His performance helped India reach a massive total of 587 all out. Later, India's pace attack dismantled England's top order, with Akash Deep taking two wickets in two consecutive deliveries. Gill's outstanding performance not only made him the first Asian skipper to score a double century on English soil, but also raised his average to 40 in just three innings in England.
After defeating world champion Magnus Carlsen in classical chess a few weeks back, Indian teenager Gukesh has now done it again in rapid chess at the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz Croatia 2025 in Zagreb. Carlsen, playing with white pieces and in a supposedly weaker format for Gukesh, resigned in the 49th move with a muted reaction. Gukesh, on the other hand, has been on a streak of victories against some of the strongest players in the tournament, proving his skills and causing former world champion Garry Kasparov to question Carlsen's domination.