Konami hints at two new partner clubs for PES 2022

Licences, it's always a hot topic surrounding PES titles.

Despite losing Milan clubs AC and Inter for PES 2021, Konami was still able to make progress by attaining the exclusive rights to AS Roma - but what's next for PES 2022?

Well, we look to have got our first piece of PES 2022 gossip from Konami's General Manager, with more clubs from Italy keen to get involved.

Serie A success

Konami sees Italy as one of the core areas for the PES franchise with all but three Italian clubs licensed on PES 2021.

Two of those were partner clubs on the previous game PES 2020, with AC Milan and rivals Inter Milan signing deals with EA Sports' FIFA franchise.

The only other unlicensed club comes in Italy's Serie B in the form of Brescia.

In a recent interview with Gazzeta dello Sport, Konami General Manager Manorito Hosoda said that more clubs are looking to get involved:

"There are two new Italian teams interested in Konami's esport path and will soon sign a collaboration with us.

"We plan to create a new esport competition in Italy with our five partners, including the most recent two. "

So, down to what Konami offers on an esport level, two new Italian clubs will be joining the franchise as partner clubs.

Who could it be?

So with three partner clubs in Italy already - Juventus, Roma and Lazio - two spots are free for some Italian clubs to join the party.

With AC Milan and Inter Milan ruled out it's really interesting to predict who could be arriving for PES 2022.

Napoli

Likely to be the fans' favourite, with the Gli Azzurri regularly fighting for European places in Serie A, and picked up a trophy in the form of the Coppa Italia last term.

Napoli also has a big rivalry with Juventus, which would tie in nicely with PES's Matchday feature.

If Konami is looking to send shockwaves in the licensing battle with EA Sports, acquiring Napoli exclusively would be a big enough play.

Torino

Sticking on the rivalry theme, Juve's local rivals Torino would certainly fit the billing.

If Konami wanted to acquire yet another Serie A club exclusively, Il Toro would likely be a smaller hurdle to cross that some of the others.

That said, Torino is facing a relegation battle - so Konami may wish to go for a side with Serie A security.

Atalanta

The new kid on the block, Atalanta are certainly a club on the rise.

La Dea only has one senior trophy, the 1963 Coppa Italia to its name, but Atalanta reached the Champions League quarter-finals in their very first season in the competition in 2020.

If the club is trying to grow its brand, signing a deal with Konami would certainly achieve that.

Fiorentina

A bit of a fallen giant, but Fiorentina would still offer pulling power with two Serie A titles and six Coppa Italias to its name.

PES legend Gabriel Batistuta is a former player, and the current squad still possesses familiar names like Franck Ribery, Borja Valero and Jose Callejon.

Best of the rest

Sassuolo, Sampdoria, Udinese and Genoa all have useful pulling power - and these would all be clubs to target exclusive right for.

All of the clubs have an esports presence, so watch this space for any more developments from Konami.

And, for everything you need to know about PES 2022 - head here.