Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini has reportedly been offered a contract by MLS side LAFC. The Italy international sees his Juventus contract expire in 2023 but is ready to leave the club at the end of the season following Italy’s failed attempt to qualify for Qatar 2022.
The experienced defender must decide whether to retire or continue his career for one more season abroad. According to the reports from Italy, he has received an offer to play in the MLS from 2022 to 23.
Vancouver Whitecaps are also considering a move for the Azzurri captain, who will play his final game with the national team in June against Argentina. Chiellini hasn’t yet confirmed that he will leave Juventus in the summer but suggested so during a press conference attended by Football Italia yesterday.
The Bianconeri captain revealed that he could have retired after Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020 last summer or even if VAR hadn’t disallowed Marko Arnautovic’s goal against the Azzurri in the Round of 16.
The 37-year-old has been a stalwart for Juventus since 2005, making well over 500 appearances for the club and winning nine Serie A titles, among a host of major honours. At the international level, the veteran defender has 116 caps for Italy to his name and was part of their Euro 2020-winning side.
Chiellini signed a new deal with Juventus last August that runs to the end of the 2022/23 Serie A campaign, but reports emerged last month that he would depart the club at the end of the current season. Major League Soccer was listed as his most likely destination.
On Tuesday, The Athletic reported Los Angeles FC have already reached out and made an offer to Chiellini but could not confirm whether or not he is still considering it. Their report also revealed that the Vancouver Whitecaps – led by Italian coach Vanni Sartini – are also interested.
LAFC have not offered Chiellini a Designated Player contract but instead would use Targeted Allocation Money, meaning he could earn no more than $1.65 million in 2023.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano later reported that Chiellini has already received offers from two MLS clubs, with another team joining the hunt alongside LAFC.
The veteran defender will play his final match at the Allianz Stadium against Lazio on Monday night. According to La Gazzetta, Chiellini met Juventus President Agnelli yesterday.
They reportedly spoke about the defender’s plans for the future, with Chiellini making clear that he is not considering retiring and is tempted to move to America for one season.
