With TM info
This article has been updated with new information.
Los Angeles FC have serious interest in signing 37-year-old Juventus center-back Giorgio Chiellini. The Athletic was first to report the story on Tuesday.The report added that the Vancouver Whitecaps and head coach Vanni Sartini are also interested in signing the former Italian national team player but that LAFC are in the driver’s seat as they hold Chiellini’s MLS discovery rights.
Transfermarkt can confirm that the Whitecaps have shown interest in Chiellini. But sources have told TM that LAFC are not willing to trade the discovery rights, which has taken the Whitecaps out of the conversation. That, in turn, also suggests that LAFC are in advanced talks with the Italian and that a deal appears to be close.
Update May 12: Chiellini confirmed his Juventus departure on Wednesday night after his club’s Coppa Italia final defeat to Inter Milan. The 37-year-old voiced his disappointment in leaving the club without a title but also confirmed the certainty of his departure. “I am making room for younger people, I won’t be here next year.”
Chiellini signed a new contract with Juventus last August that will run until the end of the 2022/23 campaign. According to the report by The Athletic, Chiellini wants to leave Italy this upcoming summer and move to North America. Chiellini would not seek a Designated Player contract. Transfermarkt understands that LAFC have been searching for a high-profile center-back for some time and were in advanced negotiations with Hoffenheim’s Kevin Vogt, that deal, however, fell through as the Bundesliga side was unwilling to release the player.
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