How much is Chelsea and Barca target De Ligt‘s release clause?

Matthijs de Ligt has a minimum fee release clause of €120 million that will be activated at the end of the 2021-22 season.

De Ligt signed for Juventus in the summer of 2019 from Ajax for an initial fee of €75m, which could eventually reach €85.5m

Juventus beat off competition from many of Europe’s biggest clubs, in particular Barcelona, in order to sign arguably Europe’s most talented young central defender.

The presence of De Ligt’s agent Mino Raiola, who enjoys a very close relationship with Juventus, played a key role in the Dutchman moving to Turin.

But another key reason why the deal was made was because Juventus agreed to insert a clause in De Ligt’s contract.

How much is De Ligt’s release clause?

This clause means that in the summer of 2022, Juventus will be forced to accept any transfer offer that reaches €120m.

This has alerted Europe’s top sides once more, with Chelsea considering De Ligt as one of their key targets in 2022.

The Blues are in the market for at least one top centre back, possibly two, as they have a number of first-team defenders out of contract at the end of the season.

Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta have all yet to sign new deals and are eligible to speak to other clubs in January.

Chelsea have the funds available to sign De Ligt for €120m and will not be shy to pay such a huge amount having spent €115m in the summer of 2021 to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the club from Inter.

Barcelona also still want to bring De Ligt to Camp Nou after missing out on him two years ago but currently can’t afford to.

As for Juventus, it is understood that they wish to keep De Ligt and regard him as one of the pillars of their future.

His contract expires in 2024 and it is reported in the Italian media that they may open up talks over a new contract that could see his release clause fee lowered even further.