Manchester United are reportedly increasing their interest in Juventus forward Federico Chiesa, who has also been linked with Liverpool.
The 25-year-old made a significant impression for Italy in the 2021 European Championships, but his growth has been slowed by a catastrophic knee injury.
Chiesa was absent for around ten months until returning in November 2022 due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The forward struggled after returning from injury last season, but he is off to a fantastic start in 2023/24. In his first six Serie A games for Juventus this season, he has four goals.
Chiesa was extensively linked with Liverpool during the summer transfer window as they sought a replacement for Mo Salah, but they are apparently up against competition from Manchester United.
Man United are short of alternatives in several places since Jadon Sancho and Antony (for different reasons) are now unavailable for selection.
And, according to Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), Manchester United have chosen Chiesa as a substitute for Sancho.
After clashing with Erik ten Hag, Sancho is said to be’refusing’ to apologise, and insiders tell I News that a return to Old Trafford is presently a “distant dream.”
“He is a great player, that doesn’t go away, so he will have offers in January if we are where we are now – with first-team football at United a distant dream,” a Man Utd insider told I News.
“However, clubs need to see something that will entice them to bring him to their club.” Talent alone will not land him a spot on another elite squad.
“We are aware of how this all looks for him, and the longer United leave him in the cold, the lower his appeal drops.”
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According to Calciomercato, Manchester United want to sign Chiesa “as soon as January,” and Juventus value him at at least €60 million.
Chiesa’s contract expires in 2025, but Juventus is apparently aiming to extend it until 2026 in order to ward off interest from Premier League teams.
In terms of Sancho, Manchester United great Roy Keane believes he would be readily forgiven if he “showed some humility” and apologised to his teammates.
“If you have got questions marks over this player, he is not training properly and he does turn around and show some sort of humility and says maybe I got it wrong, you can move on very quickly,” Keane stated.
“We’ve been in locker rooms where players have come in and said, ‘Sorry lads, I made a mistake,’ and it’s quickly forgotten.”
“Football locker rooms have an odd dynamic; if a player shows they care and are human, it’s fine.” We make fast progress.”