Federico Chiesa will leave Liverpool in the coming weeks.
The decision has now been made, and Arne Slot’s choice to exclude him from the Reds’ tour of Asia is merely confirmation: the former Juventus player is not part of the plans and will be sold before the close of the summer transfer window.
Having arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2024 for around €15 million, Chiesa has struggled to find playing time due to injuries and clearly defined hierarchies in attack. The Fiorentina youth academy product has only managed to score 2 goals in 466 minutes, spread across 14 appearances in all competitions, numbers fit for a backup, a role Chiesa is no longer willing to accept.
In a year that (hopefully) leads to the World Cup, he wants to play regularly. That’s why he will leave the Premier League after just one season.
No to Fenerbahce:
Liverpool would like to recoup the investment they made twelve months ago before letting him go, but as the transfer deadline approaches, they may offer a discount on the €15 million asking price. Both parties are aligned in their desire for a clean break, a loan move is off the table.
There is interest in Chiesa from José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe, but neither Turkey nor the Süper Lig currently appeal to the player. He has placed a return to Serie A at the top of his preferences, ideally with a club where he can be a protagonist again, one that can offer him consistent playing time, trust, and, of course, a top-tier salary.
High wages and physical issues...
This is where potential problems arise. In England, Chiesa earns around €7 million net per year, a salary too high for all Serie A clubs, even the top-tier ones. To return to Italy, he would need to lower his wage demands, especially since those interested are fully aware of his physical issues in recent years.
His medical record includes an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in January 2022 and several muscle-related problems that have slowed his full breakthrough. His talent is undeniable, when fit, Chiesa has proven to be a valuable asset, a top player, but bringing him back to Italy at such figures could still be a risk.
Milan or Napoli for Chiesa?
Under favorable financial conditions, however, Chiesa could turn out to be a winning bet. As of today, his name is on the shortlist of Atalanta in case Lookman leaves as well as Roma, Napoli (who are searching for a winger after Ndoye chose Nottingham Forest and the Premier League), and Milan.
The last two clubs would be especially attractive to the former Juventus star, who is familiar with both Conte and, above all, Allegri. Milan, to whom he has been offered, are currently just observing the situation. A potential move for Chiesa depends on the departures of Okafor and Chukwueze and is not currently considered a priority.
Source: Calcio Mercato
