Arsenal and Liverpool now face paying club-record fees to secure the transfer of Juventus star Federico Chiesa. Despite the Serie A side’s issues, they are loath to see the winger go.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports Juventus do not plan to sell Chiesa even in a worst-case scenario. The Bianconeri are staring down the barrel of failing to qualify for the Champions League. But Allianz Stadium chiefs are convinced the winger must stay put.
Juventus now rank 10th in Serie A through 21 games after Italy’s football federation (FIGC) docked 15 points, via BBC Sport. They are also 13 points outside of the top four following the verdict. Massimiliano Allegri has only overseen one win over their three fixtures since.
Failing to overturn their penalty and missing out on premier UEFA football for next season will force Juventus to sell some star players. The Turin powerhouse will try to recoup some of their losses. But Bianconeri chiefs do not expect to sell Chiesa under any circumstances.
Juventus bet everything on Chiesa being the leading light of their future. They have already rejected offers of €100m (£88.5m) from Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. So, clubs keen on the 25-year-old must offer as much now to open conversations.
Arsenal are now rivalling Liverpool for a transfer with Juventus for Chiesa
Liverpool remain interested in securing a transfer with Juventus for Chiesa in 2023 but face rivalling Arsenal for his services. CalcioMercatoWeb notes that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has now lost faith in Mohamed Salah. So, he would use the funds of his sale to sign the Italian.
Anfield chiefs will give serious thought to Salah’s future come the summer with Paris Saint-Germain a potential option. But Liverpool face rivalling Arsenal as CalcioMercatoWeb also reports Mikel Arteta sees Chiesa as his top target and will chase his transfer from Juventus.
Arsenal could face a difficult pursuit, though, as Gianluca Di Marzio believes Chiesa may be open to leaving Juventus for a transfer to Liverpool. His position on moving to Merseyside will depend on the project that Klopp can sell. But life at Anfield could be perfect for him.
Yet an £88.5m asking price would be a club-record fee for the Gunners and Reds. Nicolas Pepe is currently Arsenal’s record signing at £72m from LOSC Lille in 2019. While Darwin Nunez can become Liverpool’s at £85m after add-ons to surpass Virgil van Dijk at £75m.
Chiesa is still playing his way back from a serious ACL injury in Turin
Chiesa will still have two years remaining on his contract at Juventus this summer, though. He is also still forging his path back from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament 13 months ago. The winger has only played seven and started one Serie A game for two assists so far.
But before the serious injury, Chiesa attracted interest from Liverpool in his transfer after dazzling with Juventus and Italy. The 40-cap forward’s performances with club and country also convinced Bianconeri and Azzurri legend Gianluigi Buffon to change his option on him.
“When he arrived at Juve, I didn’t think he was so good,” Buffon told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I am honest. In the European Championship, he was unbelievable. In the final match with England, it was impossible to stop him.”
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