Juventus winger Federico Chiesa has reportedly snubbed interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa but could favour a move to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
According to Corriere dello Sport (via Paisley Gates), Juventus winger Federico Chiesa has apparently rejected approaches from Premier League sides Newcastle United and Aston Villa. But the Italian international, valued at €50 million “would accept a move to Anfield” despite the lack of Champions League football for Liverpool in 2023/24.
The Italian international’s contract expires in June 2025. But the Bianconeri are ready to listen to offers for the exciting winger if a suitor shells out €50 million. Indeed, their financial plight has been well-reported of late. Financial irregularities and false accounting were the source of a ban that saw them finish seventh in Serie A this season.
As such, it seems the Old Lady will be forced to get saleable assets off the books as fast as they can. The Cds report states that Chiesa does not enjoy the best of relationships with Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri and struggles to fit into his 3-5-2 formation unless operating in an unfamiliar wing-back or second-striker role.
Indeed, injuries have meant he has played just 35 games in the league in the past two seasons, which clearly cannot be helped. While fitness issues have hindered his progress over the past few seasons, he has clearly a very good player when fit.
His best season in Serie A saw him score ten times and provide nine assists. The winger followed that up with eight goals and eight assists the very next season while establishing himself as a superstar during Italy’s victorious Euro 2020 campaign. As such, it is not difficult to see why big sides are keen. Several Premier League clubs have shown interest in the ex-Fiorentina star, including Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
The Lions, for one, were reported to have lodged a bid to land the Juventus winger as their marquee addition this summer. However, as per reports in Italy, Chiesa did not even listen to their approach as he was looking for a bigger club as his next destination. Unai Emery’s side realigned their radars elsewhere and landed former Bayer Leverkusen speedster Moussa Diaby.
Newcastle United looked to have a fair chance of signing Chiesa, especially after securing the services of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan and with Champions League football on offer. Like Villa, they shifted their focus to their avenues and signed Harvey Barnes from Leicester City after facing rejection from the player.
Despite not being central to Allegri’s plans for the next season, Chiesa’s preference is to stay put at the Old Lady and fight for his starting place. The player is said to be open to a move to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. But they have yet to make a move for the Italian international.
Having wrapped up big-money deals for Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz, attacking reinforcements are not a priority for the Merseysiders. It will be interesting to see whether they will revive their interest in Chiesa to make up the numbers following Roberto Firmino’s exit. But bolstering in the midfield area should be their first port of call.
What is abundantly clear in any event is that the Serie A giants are not going to let their prized winger go on the cheap despite their FFP concerns. They would only sell Chiesa for big money, around €50 million.