Barcelona is reportedly in the market for a new winger as the transfer window deadline approaches. According to sources, the Catalan club is considering Juventus’ Federico Chiesa as one of their primary options to bolster their attack. Chiesa, 26, has expressed interest in joining Barcelona, and Juventus seems willing to let him go.
The Hunt for Low-Cost Alternatives
Initially, Barcelona had set their sights on Spain and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, but the high costs involved in his potential deal have forced the club to explore more affordable alternatives. AC Milan’s Rafael Leão was also on Barcelona’s radar, but with Milan demanding a hefty fee for his transfer, the club needed to look for lower-cost options.
Federico Chiesa’s career took a hit when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2022, sidelining him for almost a year. Despite this setback, Chiesa managed to return to the pitch for the second half of the 2022-23 season and made significant contributions to Juventus, scoring 10 goals in 37 appearances. His performances earned him a spot in Italy’s Euro 2024 squad.
Juventus’ new head coach, Thiago Motta, does not see Chiesa as part of his plans, leading to the possibility of the Italian club letting him go. Barcelona has reportedly been offered the chance to sign Chiesa for around €15 million as his contract is set to expire next year. However, before any potential transfer is finalized, Chiesa would have to undergo a thorough medical examination given his previous injury.
Barcelona’s financial situation poses a challenge in the transfer market. The club’s summer signing, Dani Olmo, has yet to be registered with LaLiga due to exceeding their annual spending limit. To free up space for Olmo’s registration, Barcelona may need to offload players such as Vitor Roque, Clément Lenglet, Eric García, and Ansu Fati before making any new signings.
Additionally, with the impending departure of Ilkay Gündogan to Manchester City, Barcelona could potentially make room for new signings. However, president Joan Laporta’s dream signings, Nico Williams and Rafael Leão, are currently deemed too expensive for Barcelona. Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich has also been mentioned as a viable low-cost alternative for Barcelona, with other options under consideration as well.
Barcelona’s pursuit of Federico Chiesa signals their urgency to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes. The club’s financial limitations and the need to balance player exits with new signings highlight the complexities of navigating the transfer market. As Barcelona continues to assess their options, the focus remains on securing a new winger to enhance their attacking prowess.