The potential transfer of Federico Chiesa from Juventus to FC Barcelona has sparked considerable interest among all parties involved. On paper, both the technical and financial conditions for the Italian international’s move to Spain seem to exist, yet as of yesterday, no official discussions had taken place between the two clubs. This lack of communication has left the situation largely speculative, with Spanish daily Sport frequently reporting on the topic, citing sources close to Barcelona.
Barcelona is on the lookout for a winger, and Chiesa’s skill set perfectly fits their needs. Initially, they had set their sights on Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao, but his price tag has proven too steep, rendering him effectively off the market. Meanwhile, Chiesa finds himself in a precarious situation, having been sidelined by Juventus. With no integration into the team and training alone, his prospects appear increasingly bleak as the days progress.
The interest from Barcelona opens up a new and intriguing avenue for Chiesa. Financially, there is optimism regarding the transfer, as Chiesa’s contract with Juventus runs until 2025. Because Juventus understands they cannot capitalize significantly from his sale, they are aiming merely to avoid a loss. They might be willing to let him go for around €12 million, a figure that would be very manageable for Barcelona.
However, negotiating Chiesa’s wages presents a more complex challenge. Currently, Chiesa earns €6 million net annually, and his contract will expire in ten months. While Barcelona could potentially match his wage or propose a multi-year deal to reduce initial costs, they are constrained by La Liga’s strict financial regulations.
As it stands, Barcelona has yet to register Dani Olmo, who recently signed from RB Leipzig, due to their limited financial flexibility under La Liga’s salary cap. The departures of Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester City and Vitor Roque to Real Betis, which are expected to be confirmed shortly, might create some wiggle room for Olmo’s registration, but they may not suffice to also accommodate Chiesa’s salary.
To address this salary cap issue, Barcelona is reportedly considering placing Danish defender Andreas Christensen on the market. Christensen was brought in on a free transfer, which allowed him to negotiate a significant salary. Given the circumstances, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona will proceed similarly with Christensen as they did with Gundogan and Roque, who have both seen their roles diminish.
As of now, Barcelona hasn’t initiated formal negotiations with Juventus, expressing interest in Chiesa only in the press. Should the financial pieces fall into place to enable them to manage Chiesa’s salary alongside Olmo’s contract, a formal meeting could take place. If that happens, finding common ground in the discussions shouldn’t be difficult. The ball is now in Barcelona’s court, a master in both football and financial management.