Federico Chiesa set for shock cut-price Barcelona transfer with Juventus desperate to shift winger

According to Calciomercato.it, the Italian international now finds himself on the fringes of the Bianconeri squad, with the club desperate to move him on before his contract expires at the end of the season. His situation at Juventus has deteriorated to the point where he has been frozen out of the first team. New head coach Thiago Motta has not included him in his plans, a decision that appears to be driven by the club's desire to offload the player rather than purely tactical considerations.

Amidst reports of Juventus' willingness to part ways with Chiesa, Barcelona have emerged as a potential destination for the 26-year-old. Despite Chiesa not being Barcelona's first choice — following the failed pursuits of Nico Williams and Rafael Leao — the Catalan giants are reportedly keen on securing his services as the summer transfer window draws to a close.

Barcelona's interest in Chiesa, however, comes with significant financial hurdles. Juventus, who are aware of Barcelona's financial situation, have yet to receive a formal offer but are prepared for negotiations. The Blaugrana are reportedly unwilling to offer more than €15 million (£13m/$17m) for Chiesa, a stark contrast to the €60m (£51m/$67m) Juventus paid for him. With Chiesa's contract set to expire next summer, Juventus are eager to avoid losing him on a free transfer and could accept the €15m, the minimum they would likely be offered.

Chiesa's wage demands remain a significant stumbling block. The Italian international currently earns around €5 million per season at Juventus, but he is reportedly seeking a salary increase to €7 million. This figure poses a challenge for Barcelona, who are already constrained by Financial Fair Play regulations and may need to sell players to meet Chiesa's demands. Yet, for Barcelona, acquiring Chiesa would be a cost-effective way to strengthen their squad in a market where high-quality options are getting increasingly limited and expensive.