The Manchester City and Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern are no strangers to battles in the transfer market, and recent reports from Italy suggest they will go head-to-head once again this summer along with Liverpool for the signature of Federico Chiesa.
With United in need of a naturally gifted right-winger and City also lacking options beyond Raheem Sterling, recent reports from Italy have hardly emerged as any sort of surprise. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport (via talkSPORT), the two Manchester giants are interested in signing Fiorentina’s highly-regarded winger this summer, namely Federico Chiesa, although they will face competition from Liverpool for his signature.
The report claims that the Serie A outfit had initally set their asking price at £44 million in April, but they have added a further £18 million to that price amid growing interest in the 20-year-old star.
Chiesa completed his first full senior season with the club in 2016 after being promoted from the U19 squad and he impressed throughout the campaign, but his rise to fame culminated with a series of dazzling performance during the most recent 2017/18 season.
The pacey winger is capable of playing on both wings and in a number ten role, but he predominantly operated on the right-wing last season and contributed 15 goals in all-competitions with 6 goals and 9 assists.
Landlord’s verdict
Our landlord believes that Pep Guardiola could be interested in abandoning his pursuit of Mahrez on the basis that Chiesa has huge scope for development at just 20-years-old, although his lack of Premier League experience is a notable concern.
On the other hand, Manchester United are in desperate need of securing the services of a right-winger this summer, so they may have to emulate their success during the Alexis Sanchez transfer saga and pip their rivals to Chiesa’s signature in order to mount a title challenge next season.
Finally, Liverpool will be eager to add depth to their attacking options this summer in order to ensure they have alternatives of genuine quality to replace the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, but at £62 million Chiesa represents a risk which perhaps isn’t worth taking considering the likes of Ben Woodburn and Harry Wilson are knocking on the door for an opportunity.
