Juventus player linked with Chelsea and Tottenham transfer swiftly dropped for friendly clash

Chelsea and Tottenham could be beneficiaries after Juventus boss Thiago Motta dropped an Italian international for a pre-season friendly to fuel further speculation about a transfer this summer.

Both clubs will be seeking a place back in the Champions League in the upcoming season after Spurs ended the previous campaign in fifth, with the Stamford Bridge outfit just behind them in the Premier League table.

Spurs are preparing for a second season under Ange Postecoglou and have strengthened with the return on loan of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, plus the permanent arrivals of Archie Gray from Leeds United, Yang Min-hyuk from South Korean side Gangwon and Lucas Bergvall from Swedish outfit Djurgarden.

Chelsea meanwhile are under new management following the arrival of Enzo Maresca from Leicester City, after previous boss Mauricio Pochettino departed after only one season in charge.

It has been a busy summer of comings and goings at Chelsea, with a large turnover in the squad.

Midfielders Omari Kellyman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga have been signed from Aston Villa, Leicester and Basel respectively.

Tosin Adarabioyo has joined from neighbours Fulham on a free transfer, with left-back Caleb Wiley signing from Atlanta United, striker Marc Guiu arriving from Barcelona, and most recently goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen signing from Villarreal.

The new top flight season kicks off in a fortnight's time and both clubs will be seeking to make further acquisitions before the action begins.

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Both clubs could be on alert to strengthen their squads in the final third, however, as the two London sides have been linked this summer with a move for Italy and Juventus attacker Federica Chiesa.

The 26-year-old has a year left on his contract at Juve, and as things stand would be able to leave on a free transfer next summer.

This transfer window represents the last realistic chance for La Vecchia Signora to obtain a notable fee for the attacker, who featured for Italy at Euro 2024 earlier this summer.

And it has now been reported that Juve head coach Motta has not called up Chiesa for this evening's pre-season friendly against French side Brest, fuelling speculation that the winger's time at the Italian side could be coming to a conclusion shortly.

The player's agent has also reportedly travelled to London in recent weeks to hold talks with both Chelsea and Spurs in a bid to find a new home for his client.

Chiesa has 32 goals in 131 games for Juventus, having joined the club initially on loan in 2020.