Juventus 'turn down Chelsea's player-plus-cash bid for Matthijs de Ligt'

Juventus have turned down a bid from Chelsea for Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports, despite both Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic being offered to them.

Thomas Tuchel is set to be backed heavily in the summer transfer market by new owner Todd Boehly, and he has made bringing in a new defender his priority.

De Ligt, as Sportsmail has recently revealed, is one of his prime targets, with the Blues holding an interest in him despite a reluctance to meet his release clause.

Indeed, Chelsea are said to have kickstarted the bidding with a player-plus-cash package worth around £40million, plus a choice of either Werner or Pulisic.

Italian newspaper Tuttosport, however, have reported that this package has been rebuffed by the Old Lady, with neither player enough to tempt them into a sale.

The same outlet have added that the west London side were conscious of the fact that Juventus and manager Massimiliano Allegri are on the hunt for new forwards.

He is not believed to be 'crazy' on them, though, with Chelsea's attempt falling short.

Instead, Allegri is keen to sign a more traditional No 9 possessing physicality and strength, with Werner, who has struggled in the Premier League, not fitting the bill.

Out wide, Juventus are targeting free agent Angel Di Maria instead of Pulisic.

Chelsea are therefore likely to have to table a hefty cash offer to sign De Ligt, with the Serie A heavyweights still reluctant to offload the Holland international.

They value their prized asset at around €100m (£86m), a figure which would eclipse the £75m fee that saw Liverpool sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in late 2017.

As reported by Sportsmail yesterday, stalwart De Ligt is hesitating over signing new terms, with his current buy out clause standing at a prohibitive £102m.

He is open to a Premier League move, but Chelsea would offer less than his clause.