Premier League heavyweights Manchester United have reportedly identified Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa as an offensive target.
The winger has also been linked with a move to United’s rivals Chelsea, but as per Italian outlet Quotidiano (via Daily Star), the Red Devils are on pole position to sign the Italian.
Fiorentina, currently placed 13th in the Serie A table, rate the winger very highly, and have put a £60million price tag on the player.
Federico Chiesa – The freshness Manchester United’s attack needs?
Chiesa is one of Serie A’s best talents and can add a lot to the re-building project going on at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The gaffer has re-installed the attacking mentality at the club after the fans refused to accept Jose Mourinho’s defensive ideologies to revive past glories.
Solskjaer immediately added Daniel James to his roster, but despite impressive outings at the beginning of the season, the Welshman has failed to impress consistently and that is something a club of United’s stature demands.
Chiesa, with his solid dribbling skills, could come in good in place of James and increase the competition on the wings.
The Italian has already netted six times and assisted five in his 23 Serie A outings so far this season. The 22-year-old could be played on the left-wing in a 4-3-3 formation with Marcus Rashford leading the line and James on the right.
Chiesa is also a versatile player, and has adapted his game to play different roles in attack. Though, it has to be said that a majority of his goals for Fiorentina have come as a centre-forward.
The Fiorentina attacker is the freshness United’s attack needs as Anthony Martial, despite his lengthy stay at United, has been inconsistent and doesn’t seem like he will fulfil his potential, while the likes of Jesse Lingard have failed to develop further.
Chiesa is a rising talent and has a lot of room for improvement, and the project at Old Trafford could align with where is he right now in his career.
Another winger Manchester United have been linked with is Jadon Sancho, and while Chiesa is perhaps not at the same level as the Dortmund man, he isn’t far away and would come at a cheaper price.
Stats via Whoscored