Assessing potential options for Federico Chiesa’s future

Federico Chiesa now seems destined to exit Juventus. Manager Thiago Motta was clear about his intentions yesterday, stating after the friendly against Brest that the Italian is out of the club’s plans for the 2024/25 season.

It isn’t a surprise, if you’ve read enough reports in the Italian press. Chiesa’s current deal runs out in the summer of 2025 and there is no sign of a renewal, meaning that Juve do not want to lose him on a free transfer and that is why they want to move him in.

With that in mind, we assess potential destinations for him and look at the clubs that have been linked with him.

Napoli

Antonio Conte’s side have been spoken about as a potential destination and the links seemed more concrete earlier in the summer. But over time, they have faded as Napoli seem focused on the striker situation and the midfield situation, as they are keen on selling Victor Osimhen, signing Romelu Lukaku and then signing Billy Gilmour from Brighton.

But as of now, Chiesa isn’t a priority for them even though a swap deal involving Giacomo Raspadori has been spoken about. But a swap deal during the end of windows are complex affairs and by then, Juventus may have signed a couple of wingers themselves. So the possibility of Chiesa moving to Napoli is remote, as of now.

Roma

Roma were linked with Chiesa earlier in the window and they did hold talks with his agent. But they signed Matias Soule from Juve and already have Tommaso Baldanzi and Paulo Dybala, with Stephan El Sharaawy very much a part of the side and so is Nicola Zalewski.

They may not even need Chiesa and after Soule, that possibility has closed down.

Tottenham Hotspur

Since Fabio Paratici still somewhat pulls the strings at Tottenham, it is no surprise to see Spurs get linked concretely with Chiesa and they probably have a higher chance of landing him than Napoli or Roma. 

They too have made contact with his agent, who was in London recently and Chiesa seems keen on a Premier League move.

Spurs need wide players with a good 1v1 ability and Chiesa offers that. Barring Son, Chiesa could prove to be one of Spurs’ most productive wingers and he would unite with former Juve teammate Dejan Kulusevski as well. The possibility of playing under Ange Postecoglou could be tempting to Chiesa, as the Australian could bring the best out of the Italian.

Spurs are still considering whether to move for Chiesa or not, but they can be considered the best possible candidate in the saga – for now.

Chelsea

Like Spurs, Chelsea have also been in contact with Chiesa’s agent recently and they are an interested party too. And it is coincidence that Chelsea’s current boss is a former Italian Juve player – Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea obviously have the financial capacity to sign a player who is worth about €25 million. But do they need a winger? Probably not, as signing a striker seems to be their priority and even new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has often played out wide.

While they should be candidates to sign Chiesa, they may not be the leading ones because of what they already have.

Inter

Chiesa’s links with Inter are curious and it seems as if Inter would be interested in signing him on a free transfer in the summer of 2025. It is only after the reports came out that Motta clarified the club’s stance about his future, essentially pushing the player out the project so that he finds a new club this summer instead of waiting for the next season.

Juve are perhaps scared that Chiesa would join Inter on a free transfer, just as Paulo Dybala joined Roma two seasons ago. But the context is different, as Chiesa has been pushed out of the project, which will make sure that he seals a move away this summer and his entourage is prominent enough to find a solution.

Inter will only be an option next summer and if he doesn’t leave this summer, this option will gain prominence.

Kaustubh Pandey I   GIFN