Reports from Turin-based media suggest Juventus may yet retain Matthijs De Ligt for the new season. The Dutchman has been closely linked with a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich but talks have stalled for the moment.
The Bianconeri have been adamant that they will not accept less than €90-100m for their young defender, while Bayern’s initial offer is reportedly in the €60-70m price range.
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić was pictured in Turin last week, meeting with Juve club director to discuss the move further.
Speaking to BILD journalist Christian Falk, Salihamidžić said:
“It was important to me that we sat down at a table with the people in charge of Juve: Arrivabene, Cherubini and Pavel Nedved. I played there for four years and have a good relationship with the club.
We held two conversations, now we have to be patient and see what happens. In principle, I’m an optimistic person.”
La Stampa report today that Juventus have impressed De Ligt so far this summer and the fondness of supporters for him has made him have doubts over a move to Munich. Juventus are aiming to keep the player and have no desire to sell him, with the Bayern talks having been initiated because of the players desire to leave.
The suggestion is that the time before the clubs departure for their USA pre-season tour is decisive. Juve are set to leave for the US next week and hope to have De Ligt with them.
