Chelsea are weighing up whether to make a move for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa before the transfer window shuts, according to Il Messaggero (via Calciomercato.com).

The Blues have joined Tottenham, Roma and Napoli, in the race for the Italian’s signature, who is expected to be sold ahead of the deadline on August 30th.

Chiesa has less than 12 months left on his contract and Juve are keen to get him off the club’s books now so he doesn’t leave on a free transfer next summer.

It is believed that the Bianconeri are willing to let him go if they receive a fee in the region of €18m (£15.4m), which is pretty much half the €35m (£30m) they wanted for him at the start of the window.

Chiesa is not in his manager’s plans

Asked to explain why the winger was left out of the squad for the 2-2 draw against Stade Brestois in a friendly at the weekend, Juventus head coach Thiago Motta said:

“Chiesa is out for transfer reasons, the same as the others who were left behind, other than Fabio Miretti who is injured. We have been very clear with them. They are talented, but must find other options where they will get more playing time. For Chiesa and the others, the decision has been made.”

Chelsea are after a winger

It is not that surprising that Chiesa has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has mentioned that the Blues are after a ‘right-sided winger’ and some have put two and two together.

Whether Chiesa is high on the London club’s list of targets, though, it is up for debate. A lot depends on the budget. The recruitment department are believed to be big fans of Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams but his fee and salary are too high.

Other options that have been considered include the likes of Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, Rennes’ Desire Doue and Juventus’s Kenan Yildiz.