de Ligt’s Future With Juventus in Doubt

Juventus’ de Ligt Discusses Contract Situation

   Juventus centre back Matthijs de Ligt has lifted the lid on his future in Turin, stating that he is still considering his options following another below par term in the Serie A. 

   Currently under contract with Juventus until 2024, the former AFC Ajax defender is weighing his options, confirming that the talks between his entourage and the club are underway. 

   Still only 22, de Ligt has amassed over 240 senior appearances in club football and has already won 36 caps for his country. He netted thrice in 31 matches for Juventus this season but couldn’t help fortify a side that finished 16 points behind champions AC Milan. 

   He has won the Dutch Eredivisie and KNVB Cup double in 2018-19 with Ajax, and the Serie A title in his very first season in Italy. The Netherlands international has also claimed the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa Italiana. 

   De Ligt, looked like the imposing figure he once did in the Eredivisie at times this season. But it has taken time to settle into the Juventus shirt. Addressing his short-term future, he remarked “Negotiations are ongoing at the moment and when the time comes, I will decide whether to extend or look elsewhere. I always look at what is best for me in terms of the sporting project.”

   Evidently not happy with Juventus’ performances, he admitted “Two consecutive fourth-place finishes are not enough; we have to make progress in that direction because these are disappointing results. Juventus are a club that always wants and must become champions.”

   With Georgio Chiellini poised to join Los Angeles FC, losing de Ligt would be a huge blow to Max Allegri and his team. Manchester United have emerged as one of the contenders for his signature, as they aim to strengthen a leaky defence. Erik Ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford is sure to make this transfer timeline interesting. 

   On the other end of the spectrum, Juventus are scheduling direct contact with their former superstar Paul Pogba, as he has already announced his departure from Manchester United. 

-Akarshak Roy

Twitter: @RoyAkarshak

Photo: Anton Zaitsev. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.