Martial, Aubameyang & six options to replace Chiesa
Carlo Garganese
- 11 Jan 2022 03:50 CST
- 4 min read
Juventus’ season was rocked on Sunday after Federico Chiesa suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Chiesa was forced out of Juventus’ thrilling 4-3 win over Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in agony after 32 minutes.
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The 24-year-old initially went down following a challenge from Chris Smalling. After a period of treatment on and off the pitch, he came back on.
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But Chiesa then collapsed to the floor holding his left knee when he attempted to change direction and move away from Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
It has now been confirmed that Chiesa has torn his ACL and he is expected to be out for at least six months.
This injury means that Juventus will be forced to sign a replacement on the market.
This could take the form of either a wide forward or a central forward, with coach Max Allegri believed to prefer the latter.
Here are six possible options to replace Chiesa this month.
Anthony Martial (Man Utd)
Martial is currently considered the favourite to replace Chiesa.
The Manchester United winger is available, having had a transfer request granted by new manager Ralf Rangnick.
A loan move with an option to buy would likely suit all three parties, and Martial comes with the added bonus of being able to play both on the wing and through the middle.
Juventus also tried to sign Martial before he moved to Man Utd in 2015.
Gianluca Scamacca (Sassuolo)
Sassuolo striker Scamacca was already a top target for Juventus this summer but the Bianconeri could now bring their bid forward six months.
The giant Scamacca is considered the most promising young number 9 in Italy and Juventus are considering a loan move with obligation to buy in the summer.
But with Jeremie Boga already leaving Sassuolo this month, they do not want to lose another first-team player in January and will try and resist any bid. Inter, Milan and Fiorentina are also interested in the €40m-rated 22-year-old.
Sardar Azmoun (Zenit)
Zenit attacker Azmoun has emerged in the last hours as a concrete possibility for Juventus this month, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
Azmoun’s contract expires at the end of this season, meaning that Juve could obtain him in January for a relatively low price.
This would suit Juve given their financial problems, but Zenit need to find a replacement first before they would consider letting him go.
Mauro Icardi (PSG)
Icardi is a long-term Juventus target and the Old Lady has tried to sign the controversial Argentinean on a number of occasions in the past.
The 28-year-old would welcome a move back to Italy, especially as he is experiencing family troubles, but PSG may not be willing to do business as Neymar is injured and Lionel Messi has been struggling all season.
A six-month loan deal can't be ruled out.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Aubameyang is available having been frozen out by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta following a string of disciplinary problems.
Arsenal have been trying for some time to get the 32-year-old off their books as he is one of the highest paid players in the whole of the Premier League.
Juventus are not believed to be hugely interested right now but Arsenal would be willing to let the player go out on loan and also subsidise a chunk of his wages. This is something that could be attractive to Juve.
Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Dusan Vlahovic is undoubtedly Juventus’ dream striker but they realise that they have probably been priced out of the Fiorentina hitman.
Interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Man City have created a bidding war for Vlahovic, who wants to stay at Fiorentina until the summer anyhow.
Nevertheless, with Juventus struggling to make it into the top four, perhaps their parent company Exor will sanction another cash injection for a top signing to prevent the club losing even more money if they were to miss out on the Champions League.
