Juventus veteran Giorgio Chiellini is finally calling time on his Juventus career after 17 years in the heart of the club’s defence for some time in America in the MLS.
The Euro 2020 winner has been with Juventus since 2004 but officially made his debut for the Bianconeri in 2005. He stayed with the club all through their relegation as a result of a match-fixing scandal, returned to the Serie A with the club, and dominated Serie A as one of Italy’s best defenders in the following years.
Chiellini, 37, is close to his retirement and is seeking adventure elsewhere before he hangs his boots and the Major League Soccer of America and Canada is willing to provide him with that experience.
Chiellini has been reduced to a bit-part role this season partly due to injuries and partly due to Massimiliano Allegri trying to phase out the old guard at the club in favour of a younger squad. His contract at the club runs out in 2023 but Chiellini is ready to move on.
Italian media have also reported that Chiellini and the club have agreed to terminate his contract at the end of the season.
He will be following the footsteps of Lorenzo Insigne and former Juventus teammate Sebastian Giovinco in moving from the Serie A to the MLS.
Juventus scouting Chiellini replacement
The Sun reported in March about Juventus’ search for a defender to replace Chiellini, and that they had identified Chelsea’s Antonio Rüdiger as a transfer target.
While the news of Rudiger to Juventus does not hold much water with Real Madrid (reported favourites) and Paris Saint-Germain in the race for the German’s signature, it is all but certain that Chiellini will not be a part of the Bianconeri squad next season.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reported via his Twitter account: “Giorgio Chiellini is considering leaving Juventus at the end of the current season. And MLS could be his next destination: he is tempted by this possibility.
“The current deal expires in June 2023 but Chiellini is now open to try a new experience.”
Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale could also be moving to the MLS in the summer.
The Welshman is certain to leave Real Madrid in June when his transfer is up and it is reported that DC United are in talks to take him to Washington DC after he is done with Madrid.
However, Bale’s camp had recently let on that the winger will retire if Wales fail to make it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Wales have not been to the World Cup since 1958 and are only one step closer to the tournament. They have to face the winner of the match between Scotland and Ukraine which was postponed due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.
Following the outcome of that fixture, Bale could either seek a move to a lower division club in British football or move to the MLS per latest reports.
DC are also open to paying him higher than Wayne Rooney earned in his stint at the club, making him their highest-paid player ever.
