6 high-profile defenders who could leave their clubs in the summer
We're in the second half of the 2021-22 season. There is plenty of excitement all around Europe as we approach the home straight of what's been an entertaining campaign. This summer's transfer window is also expected to be just as thrilling.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a slight shift in the manner in which teams have approached the transfer market.
Several clubs have been hit severely in a financial sense and teams have been cautious about their investments ever since. A ridiculously high number of high-profile players are set to become free agents this summer.
With several top European clubs struggling to sustain their form over the length of a season, we expect plenty of clubs to attempt to bolster their squads. As such, this summer's transfer window is set to be one that's rich in activity.
Plenty of teams are looking to bolster their defence this summer. As such, there is a huge demand for top quality defenders right now.
Without further ado, let's take a look at six high-profile defenders who could leave their clubs this summer.
#5 Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Andreas Christensen has done the hard yards at Chelsea. He joined the club as a teenager in 2012 and rose through the ranks before breaking onto the senior setup. The Danish international went out on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach for a couple of seasons before returning to stake a claim on a starting berth.
He has not been able to nail down a starting berth at Stamford Bridge and is not exactly viewed as indispensable. That is perhaps the reason why Chelsea haven't offered him a new deal that's lucrative enough for him to put pen to paper.
Christensen's current contract expires this summer and reports have suggested that talks over a contract have reached a dead end. However, Christensen revealed a few days back that it's not too late to sign a contract extension with Chelsea.
He said:
“Things can still be done. Being part of a winning team is all that I want to be as a football player. It’s hard because all the talks between the club and my guys, I try to keep it away because I want to focus and it’s not changed for me.
“I go on the pitch every day not really thinking about it. I leave that to the club and my guys, and I can focus on playing football. I just focus on winning, really. It’s a difficult situation.”
But should Christensen choose to leave, he'll have no shortage of potential suitors with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and AS Roma interested in signing him.
After fresh talks between his agent and Barcelona, Andreas Christensen reportedly 'edges closer' to completing his La Liga move...
chelsea-news.co/2022/03/chelse… https://t.co/DvJ18U8ZV6
#4 Matthijs De Ligt (Juventus)
Matthijs De Ligt moved to Juventus from Ajax in the summer of 2019 amid huge fanfare. The Dutchman had already captained Ajax as a teenager and was the brightest defensive prospect to have emerged from Europe in a while. However, his Juventus move hasn't exactly gone according to plan.
De Ligt failed to hit the ground running in Turin and largely played second-fiddle to the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. But he has been able to nail down a starting berth this season. However, the 22-year-old has not really hit the heights expected of him.
Tuttomercatoweb claims that the Bianconeri are looking to extend his current contract which expires in 2024. De Ligt has been extensively linked with Barcelona who are reportedly weighing up a move for him in the summer.
But the player himself has now hinted at kicking on at Juventus. You never know how these things pan out eventually.
#Juve
Matthijs de Ligt tells Rondo: "What Mino Raiola said [leave in July] happened three months ago, so many things can change. At the moment I'm focused on this season". 🇳🇱 #Juve
"I am really enjoying myself here at Juventus. I'm learning more every week and I really like that". https://t.co/CkWLnI1DsK