Chelsea fail with stunning swap deal with Juventus after disagreement on wages - Reports
Chelsea have reportedly failed in an ambitious swap deal for Juventus midfielder Federico Chiesa, with Raheem Sterling to have gone the other way. Chiesa has been at the Allianz Arena since the summer of 2020.
Initially on loan from Fiorentina for two years, the Euro 2020 winner permanently joined the Bianconeri two years later. In 131 games across competitions, he has contributed 32 goals and 23 assists.
However, despite being contracted to the Allianz Arena till 2025, the 26-year-old has been linked with an exit. As per journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, though, a swap deal involving Chiesa and Sterling failed due to 'disagreements on wages'. He tweeted (as translated from Italian):
"Attempted exchange #Chiesa - #Sterling between @juventusfc and @ChelseaFC failed due to disagreements on wages and cards"
GOAL says that Sterling's wages are nearly double that of Chiesa, which Juve are apparently not ready to pay. However, the report says that the Blues aren't completely out of a deal for Chiesa and could come for him again in a non-swap deal, but that could be dependent on Sterling's departure.
Pedro Neto's arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers has plunged Sterling's future at Stamford Bridge into doubt, having failed to impress since arriving in 2022. Similarly, new Juve boss Thiago Motta has reportedly told Chiesa that he's not in his plans for the 2024-25 season.
What's next for Chelsea and Juventus?
Chelsea kick off the Enzo Maresca era in right earnest when they host four-time defending champions Manchester City on Sunday (August 18) in their Premier League opener.
Having won just once in pre-season, the Italian will look for a statement win against Pep Guardiola's side, with the two sides drawing 4-4 in their last league meeting at the Bridge.
The Blues thrice recovered from deficits before former City man Cole Palmer drilled home a 95th-minute winner to force a share of the spoils in an eight-goal thriller.
Meanwhile, Juventus open their Serie A campaign at newly promoted Como on Monday (August 19). Having finished third last season and coming off a Coppa Italia win, Juve parted ways with Massimiliano Allegri and replaced him with Thiago Motta.
Motta led Bologna to a commendable fifth-placed finish last season to take the Serie A side to the UEFA Champions League for only the second time in 60 years. He will now look to end Juve's long wait for the European title, but before that he has to negotiate a way past Como.