Juventus plot Maldini Plan B as back-up to Chiesa

Juventus remain interested in a January deal for Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa, but reports on Sunday claim that the Bianconeri are beginning to consider alternative options and that Atalanta’s Daniel Maldini is among them. 

Juventus are hoping to provide Luciano Spalletti with more attacking options during the January transfer window, and have been linked with several attackers including Chiesa, Napoli’s Lorenzo Lucca and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta among others. 

Chiesa, who was pushed out of the Juventus first-team just 18 months ago, could potentially be available for a low-cost fee in the region of €10m. However, Liverpool are only interested in a permanent sale, and are keen to wait for Mohamed Salah to return from the Africa Cup of Nations before making a final decision. 

That leaves Juventus slightly in limbo, and in a position where they need to consider alternative options. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Bianconeri are also interested in a potential deal for Atalanta’s Maldini, son of Milan legend Paolo. He is considered the ‘first-choice alternative’ to Chiesa this month. 

Again, Juventus are reportedly interested in an initial loan deal with an option to buy rather than an obligation, but it remains to be seen whether Atalanta will be swayed by these terms. 

Signing Chiesa or Maldini would continue a recent Juventus trend of bringing in the sons of former Serie A stars: Timothy Weah, son of George Weah, Francisco Conceicao, son of Sergio Conceicao, and Khephren Thuram, son of Lilian Thuram are among those to have turned out for the Old Lady across the last two seasons.