Barcelona are currently in the process of evaluating a potential move for Juventus' Federico Chiesa as they strive to secure a new winger before the closure of the transfer window, according to sources familiar with the situation. Chiesa, aged 26, has emerged as a prominent candidate for Barça to bolster their attacking options, given his keen interest in joining the club and Juventus' willingness to part ways with him.
Initially, Spain and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams was at the top of Barcelona's wishlist at the beginning of the summer transfer window. However, due to the substantial financial demands associated with potential deals for Williams and AC Milan's Rafael Leão, Barcelona has been compelled to explore more cost-effective alternatives.
Chiesa, who is not in the plans of new Juventus head coach Thiago Motta, has been presented as an option for Barcelona, with Juventus indicating a willingness to consider offers in the region of €15m as his contract is set to expire next year. Chiesa's career trajectory was interrupted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury in early 2022, which sidelined him for 11 months. Despite this setback, he made a successful return in the latter half of the 2022-23 season, featuring in 37 matches for Juventus and securing a spot in Italy's Euro 2024 squad.
However, any potential transfer involving Chiesa would be contingent on a comprehensive medical assessment to ensure his fitness. Barcelona's financial situation also plays a crucial role in determining the feasibility of the deal. The club's recent acquisition, Dani Olmo, has yet to be registered with LaLiga due to Barcelona exceeding their annual spending limit.
In order to facilitate Olmo's registration, Barcelona may need to offload players such as Vitor Roque, Clément Lenglet, Eric García, and Ansu Fati before additional signings can be sanctioned. Should these developments materialize, Barcelona intends to pursue a left winger, with Chiesa emerging as a viable option given his affordability compared to other targets.
Aside from Chiesa, Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich has also been identified as a potential low-cost alternative. Bayern Munich is reportedly open to negotiating a more reasonable transfer fee for Coman this month, while Barcelona is exploring other potential options as well.
