-Ikenna Okafor
Matthijs de Ligt reportedly wants to leave Juventus after talks over a new contract broke down in an explosive meeting with the club.
The Dutch defender, who joined Juve in 2019 in a deal worth around £67million, has told the Italian giants that he wishes to be sold – putting the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United on red alert.
His decision could spark a bidding war and is sure to catch the attention of a host of top clubs who have previously expressed an interest in the player.
According to reports from Italy, De Ligt will not return to the negotiating table following the fractious meeting with Juve officials
The 22-year-old is under contract at the club until 2024 and Juve want to extend his deal to 2026.
Corriere dello Sport reports De Ligt and his camp, led by Rafaela Pimenta following the death of Mino Raiola, were unhappy with Juve’s demand that a release clause of £98million be inserted into the new deal.
De Ligt reportedly believes that figure to be too high and is looking more in the region of £68million.
There was also disagreement on wages. De Ligt is currently the highest paid player in the squad, taking home a salary of £7million with bonuses potentially rising to £10million.
The meeting could spark the end of De Ligt’s time in Italy after he signed for Juve from Ajax on a five-year contract in 2019.
Should he get his wish to leave, he could reunite with Erik ten Hag at United after the two worked together at Ajax. De Ligt had also been linked with a move to Old Trafford before he swapped Holland for Italy three years ago.
£103m De Ligt seeks Juve exit