Juventus offered Chelsea the chance to sign Federico Chiesa as part of a swap deal for Raheem Sterling earlier this week, a report in Italy has claimed.

Sterling turns 30 later this season and his future at Stamford Bridge has been called into question amid the club’s push to build a young squad filled with prospects for the future. He was even left out of the matchday squad to face Manchester City on Sunday, much to the surprise of his representatives.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are interested in signing the winger and even approached the Blues with an offer this week.

During club-to-club talks, Juve floated the idea of Chelsea taking back Italy international Chiesa in the deal, but after exploring the feasibility of a swap, the offer was turned down. There was said to be discrepancies between the two clubs over the valuation of the players, while another wrinkle in the deal was the fact Sterling earns nearly double Chiesa’s wages.

Chelsea could make a move for Chiesa if they are able to sell Sterling first, however, and he could yet end up at Stamford Bridge before the transfer deadline.

Juventus are at this stage struggling to find a suitor for Chiesa, who is said to have been banished from first-team training in a fresh attempt to force him to leave. AS Roma, who are set to lose Paulo Dybala to the Saudi Pro League, have been extensively linked with Chiesa this window.

Blues boss Enzo Maresca insisted his decision to drop Sterling was simply due to “technical” reasons.

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