Chelsea in double transfer blow as Juventus plan to pair Matthijs de Ligt alongside Blues target Kalidou Koulibaly

CHELSEA have received a double whammy in their search for a new centre-back this summer.

The Blues are targeting a number of big names to replace Antonio Rudiger.

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However, Juventus may have dealt Thomas Tuchel’s side a major blow as they plan to bring Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly to the old lady.

The Senegalese international has already been touted by Chelsea, reportedly offering him a £8.5million-a-year deal.

The move would mean another blow for the Blues as Juventus are interested in pairing Koulibaly with Matthijs de Ligt.

The Dutchman is very experienced at just 22 and a key figure in Ajax’s fascinating Champions League run in 2019.

Although De Ligt failed to live up to expectations in Turin, he remains a dominant figure to build a defense around for another decade.

That hasn’t stopped a number of top European clubs, including the Blues, from entering a race for his services.

However, according to Football London, the Serie A side plan to pair the duo as central defenders next season, severely limiting Chelsea’s options in the market.

Tuchel’s side are still favorites to sign Sevilla’s Jules Kounde despite facing late competition from Xavi’s Barcelona.

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The Catalan side are still firmly in the hunt for Chelsea’s Spanish duo Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.

With a deal almost confirmed for former Blue Andreas Christensen, it would be a poor start to the Todd Boehly era to lose Kounde to the side as well.