Reports suggest that Manchester United are considering Federico Chiesa as a potential replacement for Jadon Sancho, whose relationship with manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly strained.
This has raised speculation that Sancho may leave Old Trafford in 2024.
With Antony also unavailable due to ongoing legal issues, Manchester United are facing a shortage of impactful options on their right flank.
Manchester United joins Liverpool in race to sign Chiesa as Sancho Replacement
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been linked with Chiesa as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, although Salah’s move away from the club has been a recurring topic.
Federico Chiesa, the 25-year-old Italian international who has been performing well for Juventus this season, is drawing attention.
He has scored four goals and provided one assist in his first six matches, primarily playing in a central role behind the striker.
Recent reports from Italy suggest that Man United could move for Chiesa when the winter transfer window opens.
It is reported that United have identified him as a target to replace Sancho, and manager Erik ten Hag is keen to complete the deal as early as January, possibly due to concerns about Liverpool’s interest in Chiesa.
Juventus looking to offer Chiesa a new contract
However, acquiring Chiesa from Juventus is expected to be a challenging task. Juventus are said to be seeking a transfer fee of at least €60 million (approximately £52 million) before they would consider a sale.
Manchester United’s financial constraints over the summer may also impact their ability to make such a significant signing just six months later.
Complicating matters further is the fact that Juventus are planning to hold talks with Chiesa’s agent, Fali Ramadani, about a contract extension.
While Chiesa’s current deal runs until 2025, Juventus are interested in adding an extra year to it. If an agreement is reached, discussions for a longer-term contract would occur at the end of the current season, essentially allowing the Italian giants to protect their investment without committing to a lucrative long-term deal immediately.
TuttoMercatoWeb also echoes these reports, stating that the 20-time English Champions are pursuing Chiesa and are prepared to make an offer in January with the same €60 million price tag.
However, it’s important to note that this reported interest from Manchester United might also be used as leverage in Chiesa’s contract negotiations with Juventus, a tactic that has been employed in football negotiations before.
