Tottenham reportedly close to signing Juventus superstar
By Manuel Meza
Tottenham Hotspur are apparently close to snagging Italian midfielder Federico Chiesa from Juventus. Chiesa, who makes £150,000 a week with the Turin club, has a contract that runs out next summer. This potential signing has stirred up quite a bit of chatter among fans and experts.
Federico Chiesa, known for his dynamic play on the wing, has been a key player for Juventus. However, under the new management of Thiago Motta, it appears that Chiesa is not part of the long-term plans.
Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Juventus is looking to sell the player this summer, with Chiesa managing nine goals and two assists in 33 games across all competitions last season. While these numbers are respectable, they do not fully reflect the potential that Chiesa has shown in the past.
The Italian sports outlet SportMediaSet (h/t CalcioNapoli24), has claimed that Chiesa is set to leave Italy and join the Premier League, with Tottenham Hotspur being his likely destination.
The transfer fee is expected to be in the range of €30-35 million (£25.3m – £29.5m), which is somewhat surprising given that Juventus had reportedly been asking for around €25 million (£21m) with add-ons. This discrepancy in the reported fees has raised eyebrows and added to the intrigue surrounding the transfer.
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Tottenham reportedly close to signing Juventus superstar
Chiesa suffered a significant ACL injury over two years ago in a match against Roma, and since then, he has struggled to return to his previous high standards. This injury history is a concern for any potential suitor, especially considering the physical demands of the Premier League. Additionally, Chiesa operates best as a winger in a 4-3-3 formation.
This tactical preference poses a challenge for Tottenham, who are currently in need of a central striker rather than another winger. Tottenham's primary target should ideally be a player like Ivan Toney or Jonathan David, who can lead the frontline and provide a consistent goal-scoring threat.
While Chiesa is undoubtedly a talented player, his signing raises questions about Tottenham’s strategic planning. The club’s current need is for an out-and-out striker who can replace Harry Kane’s goal-scoring prowess. Adding another winger to the squad could potentially unbalance the team and fail to address the more pressing issue of central attacking options.
Federico Chiesa’s potential move to Tottenham Hotspur is generating a lot of buzz, but it also raises some doubts. While his talent is clear, there are questions about whether he will fit into Tottenham’s tactical setup and whether he can stay healthy after his injury issues. The coming weeks will be critical in deciding whether this transfer will be a wise decision for Tottenham or if they’ll miss an opportunity to address more pressing needs.