


Federico Chiesa could join FC Barcelona as part of a swap deal.
FC Barcelona could receive a Euro 2020 winner if they agree to a swap deal that Juventus could propose for Franck Kessie according to La Gazzetta dello Sport's transfer site Calcio Mercato.
The two former allies in the failed European Super League, which the Turin club pulled out of last week, are set to meet in their first preseason friendlies at the weekend.
Either before or after the fixture at the San Francisco 49ers' Levi's Stadium home in Santa Clara, California, however, board members from both outfits could hold a summit to discuss the Serie A giants acquiring Barca midfielder Franck Kessie.
Joining from AC Milan a year ago, the Ivorian is surplus to requirements in Catalonia.
There is what's commonly referred to locally as an 'overbooking' in head coach Xavi Hernandez's midfield thanks to the arrival of Ilkay Gundogan, and Kessie's sale is particularly interesting for the cash-strapped La Liga champions as he cost nothing on a free transfer.
Any fee received for the 26-year-old represents pure profit for the Blaugrana, who have previously priced Kessie at €35 million ($39.2 million) according to SPORT.
Juventus have reportedly proposed a loan deal with a purchase option of €15 million ($16.8 million) which has been rebuffed by the Catalans, but they could be tempted by a possible exchange being considered as per Calcio Mercato's report.
Whether it comes as part of a loan or straight, permanent swap, Juve could put Euro 2020 winner Federico Chiesa on the table who Barca have been interested in before according to the same Italian outlet.
This could be interesting, as Xavi needs more options on Chiesa's preferred left flank where Barca are currently trying to offload Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres.
Though there are doubts about Chiesa's physical condition after a series of knocks last term and a cruciate ligament rupture in 2022 that kept him out for 269 days, the 25-year-old is still highly rated around Europe with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Newcastle United all reportedly chasing him.
Something that will put the Italy international in good stead for a switch to Barca is the fact he is represented by the same agent as Marcos Alonso.
Overall, though, president Joan Laporta might be more determined to receive cash for Kessie because of his club's well-documented difficulties navigating Financial Fair Play limits.
Simultaneously, Barca are also being linked to a pursuit of Joao Felix after the Portuguese told Fabrizio Romano it is his "dream" to play for them.
According to AS, a deal might be struck as soon as this week after Atletico Madrid gave the green light to their most expensive player upping sticks.