Thiago Motta is known for being straightforward, and as Juventus resumes training, eyes are on his first meeting with Federico Chiesa. This exchange will be crucial, as Motta has been open about his expectations since arriving in Turin. He has made it clear to players whether they fit into his plans or not, and Chiesa’s situation is particularly tense.
So far, Motta has been reserved regarding Chiesa’s role in the team. During his introductory press conference, he referred to comments made by sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, stating, “All the players in the squad are good guys; we will make our assessments at the end.” Recently, when Chiesa returned to training individually instead of joining the team in Germany, Motta commented, “He is part of Juventus at this moment; we will see.”
The upcoming face-to-face is significant, especially considering Chiesa’s contract situation. Without an agreement on a renewal, the player is available on the market. Juventus cannot afford to keep a player in their squad for whom they have invested a total of €60 million, especially with his contract expiring in 2025. From January, he could sign with another club for free, bypassing the Bianconeri.
Discussions about extending Chiesa’s contract have revealed substantial gaps between both parties. While Juventus has proposed a wage cut, Chiesa desires a more central role in the team, which the club cannot guarantee, resulting in him being considered expendable by the coach. This uncertainty has led Chiesa to delay potential moves, putting Italian options like Roma and Napoli on hold. Instead, he has instructed his agent, Ramadani, to explore opportunities that would guarantee Champions League football, which includes consideration for an international move.
There has been interest from several clubs, including Bayern Munich and various English teams, with Manchester United emerging as a preferred destination for Chiesa. Recent activities by Ramadani in London are worth monitoring, particularly contacts related to Tottenham and Chelsea. The latter is significant as Chelsea is also eyeing other players like Adeyemi, opening up the possibility of an intriguing market deal involving Juventus.
At Continassa, the club hopes to cash in on Chiesa for around €25-30 million but is open to negotiating a lower fee, given that selling him would save approximately €12 million in gross wage costs for the final year of his contract. If international opportunities fall through, Juventus may still consider options within Italy as the transfer window closes, with clubs like Roma and Napoli reportedly interested, as Chiesa has caught the eyes of both De Rossi and Conte.