Fiorentina Director Confirms Premier League Interest in Federico Chiesa

Fiorentina director Joe Barone has confessed that more than one English side has expressed an interest in signing forward Federico Chiesa, who has been linked with a move to either Manchester United or Chelsea.

The 22-year-old, who is a regular Italy international, has just two years remaining on his contract and is widely expected to leave Fiorentina for a side who can offer him regular European football.

Plenty of big sides have been tipped to move for Chiesa. United and Chelsea are believed to be leading the charge for English suitors, while Italian heavyweights Juventus and Inter are both understood to be keen (as always).

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Barone confessed that the club is aware of interest in Chiesa, saying: “There are clubs knocking at the door for Chiesa, some of them who speak English. We'll see, for the moment we just need to finish the season and he is very concentrated on doing well for us.”

Alongside United and Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have both been touted as potential landing spots, but rumours of such moves appear to have died down in recent weeks.

Calciomercato recently revealed that Chiesa had started taking English lessons just in case he does end up moving to the Premier League, so it seems as though he wouldn't be against a transfer if one came up.

However, he did tell Corriere dello Sport that his focus remains solely on Fiorentina and he wants to become a more 'complete' player before he seals a big move away from La Viola.

The winger, who is comfortable on both sides and even as a central striker, bagged seven goals and five assists in all competitions before football was postponed - though Fiorentina were still languishing in 13th place in Serie A.

That's an improvement on last season, when La Viola only avoided relegation by three points, but you can see why it is widely assumed that a top player like Chiesa won't be sticking around in Florence for much longer.

Both United and Chelsea have been tipped to launch €60m bids for Chiesa, who will be allowed to leave Fiorentina if he requests a move. The 22-year-old has been in constant contact with his club - he doesn't actually have an agent - so he will be well aware of any interest from other clubs.

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