Barcelona have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Juventus star Federico Chiesa, with Newcastle United leading the race for the Euro 2020 star.
According to Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness, Newcastle United are “in pole position” to capture Federico Chiesa from Juventus, and the Magpies are gunning to beat Barcelona to his services.
Chiesa was hot property in the summer of 2021, as he had enjoyed a fantastic campaign for both club and country. After producing 15 goals and 11 assists in 46 games for Juve, the left-winger went on to score two goals as Italy won the Euros for the first time since 1968 in the 2020 edition.
Chiesa ended up staying in Turin that summer. But the next season, he was badly affected by injuries, with his campaign being ended early by an ACL tear.
The pacy attacker returned to action last season but struggled to hold down a starting spot. This saw him manage just four goals and six assists in 33 appearances.
The 26-year-old appears to have put those setbacks behind him, producing seven goals and two assists from 22 league starts, showing he still remains a top winger in Serie A.
The player is under a contract with Juventus until the summer of 2025, and the Italian giants’ financial difficulties could force the Turin giants to sell their star winger this summer, although they are locked in talks to renew his contract.
The report adds that Chiesa’s agent “can bring two top offers” from England and Spain, where only Newcastle are named as the interested party from the Premier League.
Newcastle want to sign Federico Chiesa at Barcelona’s cost
Newcastle are plotting a move for Chiesa as part of their rebuild. Signing Chiesa could prove a game-changer for Eddie Howe, who has struggled on the right flank all season. Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy are Newcastle’s current first-team options, but neither are considered an established option.
Someone like the Juve star supplying the bullets for Alexander Isak might revamp the Toon attack. However, if Newcastle sign another right-footed player, this will signal a tactical shift from Howe.
Throughout his tenure on Tyneside, Howe has chosen inverted widemen like Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Almiron, and Murphy, who can move inside onto their better foot. Chiesa is capable of playing on either wing as well as behind the striker.
The significant transfer fee could pose a hurdle for Barcelona, who would have to raise the funds to sign him either through player exits or sponsorships.
But what appears clear is that Chiesa is seen as a target, as Barcelona believe he would be a good fit for the left-wing role, with Joao Felix’s loan stay unlikely to be made permanent this summer.
