Football super-agent Mino Raiola is playing simultaneous ‘poker-matches’ across Europe using his clients as his ‘chips’. One of the games he is currently taking part in is called ‘Moving Matthijs de Ligt away from Juventus’. No one is really sure why is even at that table; only Raiola knows why but if we have to take a guess – it is money.Despite de Ligt having no issues at the club, his agent sees it different and he is looking to find a new club for the Dutchman in the summer – reportedly, he has already initiated talks with several clubs in Europe such as Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea.A penalty controversy ‘helps’ Juventus defeat RomaIt was 2019 when the 22-year-old Holland international joined the Old Lady of Turin from Ajax – Juve paid quite an amount for then even younger but obviously talented defender (86.5 million USD). After two seasons of finding his consistency, he has been now heavily involved in Juve’s quest to regain the title back from Inter Milan.However, unbeknownst to anyone, Italian agent is now on his own mission. Raiola has ‘threatened’ to take the Dutch defender away from Juventus at the end of the season, according to Calciomercato.Wed, 20/10, 22.00: (3.80) ZENIT (3.50) JUVENTUS (2.10)What makes it even more peculiar is that Juventus have no plans to sell de Ligt – he he has just under three years remaining on his contract and the 36-time Italian champions are ‘not willing to grant discounts’.Any club looking to acquire the service of the centre-back will have to splash out over 170 million USD. There are only few clubs who could meet those demands – maybe PSG or Man City, or the newly rich, other-black-and-white club – Newcastle United.De Ligt is one of the highest rated defenders in Europe at the age of just 22 and since moving to Italy he has won Seria A and the Coppa Italia.Best friends? Sure, maybe off the pitch, but don’t you dare provoking me once we loseBefore signing for the Turin club, de Ligt became the youngest ever captain in a Champions League knockout game. It was in the season where he led Ajax to the semi-final of that competition. The Amterdam power house gave Matthijs the captain’s arm-band at the age of just 19 years and 186 days. Following a slow start to the season, Juventus have now won five league games on the bounce and they currently sit in seventh spot.Their next game takes place is Russia where they face Zenit St. Petersburg as part of the biggest European club competition. But what follows is much more important – Derby d’Italia against Inter on Sunday the 24th of October.
