Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand will be pleased as reports have linked his old club with Juventus winger Federico Chiesa. The former defender once outlined his frustration that the Red Devils had not signed the Italian earlier in his career.
United could be in the market for wide players in the January transfer window. Jadon Sancho is currently frozen out following his public spat with Erik ten Hag and looks set to leave in the new year.
Ten Hag has been boosted by the return of Antony, who has denied allegations of domestic abuse against him. But United have struggled in the early months of the season, with Marcus Rashford scoring just one goal so far.
Reinforcement in attack could be sought at the next earliest opportunity. And it appears Chiesa is one player who could be an option for Ten Hag.
Italian outlet Calcio Mercato claims United are one of the clubs who admire the 25-year-old. Newcastle and Aston Villa are also named as teams potentially interested in acquiring him.
The same report says Chiesa’s future at Juve is uncertain, with the Old Lady said to be open to selling him. A fee of around £43.2million (€50m) would be needed for the player who has four goals in seven Serie A games this season.
Chiesa initially joined Juve on loan from Fiorentina in 2020 with an obligation to make the move permanent. His contract expires in just over 18 months’ time to increase speculation over his future.
And if United make their move, Ferdinand would be happy. Speaking in September 2021, after Chiesa had scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Chelsea, Ferdinand admitted he would have loved to have seen United pursue him before he joined Juve.
He said on BT Sport: “He’s a huge player and he’s been linked with a few clubs in England. I’m sure they’re thinking ‘why didn’t we get him?’
“He’s just a fantastic footballer. The intensity with which he plays with, we saw in the Euros he was the main goal threat for the Italians who went on to win the tournament.
“It’s his pace, his drive. He’s the one who is the threat, he’s potent, he wants to run in behind.
“He’s that modern-day striker who can play anywhere across the front line and he’s as comfortable out wide as he is through the middle. He unnerves defenders with that pace, he’s so direct.”
