Matthijs de Ligt will not be joining Chelsea next summer and the Blues are set to turn their attentions elsewhere, according to journalist Paul Brown.
What's the latest news involving de Ligt?
Chelsea allowed Kurt Zouma to leave for London rivals West Ham United in the final days of the summer transfer window after a deal worth £29.8million was agreed.
But head coach Thomas Tuchel was then frustrated in his efforts to sign Jules Kounde after the west Londoners refused to meet Spanish side Sevilla's price tag for the central defender.
According to Italian media outlet Il Bianco Nero, the Blues have now shifted their attention towards Juventus' de Ligt. However, the report suggests Juventus do not want to sell the Netherlands international ace.
But Tuttosport have claimed a release clause worth £103million will become active in de Ligt's contract next summer. The report indicates Mino Raiola, de Ligt's agent, has refused to rule out the possibility of his client leaving Turin next summer.
The 22-year-old centre-half has proved influential since joining Juventus from Ajax in a deal worth an initial £67.8million two years ago, with him going on to make more than 80 appearances.
What has Paul Brown said about de Ligt?
Brown doubts de Ligt will be heading to Stamford Bridge when the season comes to an end next year.
The journalist believes Tuchel will look elsewhere to bring in a new central defender.
Brown told GIVEMESPORT: "The sort of fee that would be involved would probably make it a little bit difficult for Chelsea.
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"I would expect them to be looking in other areas rather than going for de Ligt.
"To be quite honest, he seems quite happy at the moment in Italy. He's become quite a leader in that team so I don't think that's going to happen, personally."
Why are Chelsea looking to bring in another defender?
As it stands, Antonio Rudiger is set to depart on a free transfer at the end of the season as his £100,000-per-week contract expires next summer.
Chelsea are hoping to tie the Germany international down to a new deal but the centre-half stalled over the club's £140,000-per-week offer earlier this month.
The west Londoners will reportedly have to make Rudiger one of the club's biggest earners if they are to strike a deal.
Chelsea's hopes of keeping the 28-year-old have faded further as it has been claimed that Rudiger could become one of the highest paid defenders in history by accepting a £400,000-per-week pay packet abroad, with Bayern Munich and Juventus among those lying in wait.