Liverpool could cash in as winger attracts fresh Italian interest | OneFootball

Chiesa’s Exit Edges Closer as Italian Interest Grows

Italian winger back on radar as exit nears

Federico Chiesa’s time at Liverpool has never quite taken off. Signed for a modest £12.5m from Juventus just a year ago, the Italian arrived with questions hanging over his long-term fitness and a point to prove in English football. Now, despite rarely featuring under Arne Slot, he may finally deliver value to the club, not on the pitch, but through the profit his sale could generate.

Photo: IMAGO

Chiesa is looking for regular minutes with the World Cup on the horizon, and the suggestion from Corriere dello Sport is that he could get that back in Serie A. Atalanta are in the market for a wide forward, with Ademola Lookman requesting a move to Inter Milan. If Lookman departs, Chiesa has been earmarked as the ideal replacement.

But the plot thickens. Atalanta are not the only club circling. Napoli, under Antonio Conte, have already missed out on one winger target. Their €40m approach for Dan Ndoye collapsed after Nottingham Forest completed a £34m deal on 31 July. CdS now report that Napoli have turned their attention to Chiesa, opening the door to a potential bidding war.

Photo IMAGO

Liverpool set for unexpected transfer windfall

While Chiesa’s Liverpool career has been quiet, his second half of last season hinted at an upturn. Having finally overcome injury issues, he became a more regular presence in matchday squads, albeit largely from the bench.

Still, his contract runs until 2028 and Liverpool are in no rush to sell. With two Serie A sides now showing strong interest, a player once seen as a gamble could prove a shrewd investment. The Reds would be right to demand a figure north of £30m, given the improving market and the player’s pedigree.

Photo IMAGO

There’s also the underlying logic that Liverpool are increasingly focused on streamlining their squad to suit Slot’s high-intensity style. Chiesa, talented though he is, has always appeared an awkward fit in this system.

Slot reshaping his squad

Reports have suggested Slot is “taking a sledgehammer” to the squad. That may be overstating it, but the changes at Anfield have been decisive. New arrivals are being prioritised to suit the manager’s preferences, and fringe players are being moved on.

Photo IMAGO

Chiesa’s potential exit fits that narrative. He has quality, no doubt, but his skillset lies closer to the touchline, suited to slower, more transitional build-up. Under Slot, that role does not exist in its former shape.

If Liverpool can turn a player who barely featured into a major profit, it says a lot about both their recruitment team’s long game and the inflated nature of the current market in Serie A.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans should be quietly pleased with how this situation is unfolding. Chiesa came in as a low-cost, low-risk flyer, and while he never quite made an impact at Anfield, the possibility of cashing in for double or triple the fee is mouth-watering.

Supporters always want every signing to succeed, but there’s also satisfaction in clever business. This is smart club operation. If Napoli and Atalanta want to scrap it out, let them. Liverpool are holding a valuable card here.

It’s also a sign of progress. There was a time, not too long ago, when the club was forced to hold on to underperforming assets or release them at a loss. Under the current structure, the Reds are beginning to act like the kind of powerhouse that doesn’t just compete on the pitch but negotiates with strength off it too.

Chiesa might not be remembered for what he did in red, but he could still play a part in financing a more impactful addition to Slot’s first XI. That is a win in itself. The prospect of a £30m-plus fee makes this deal one to watch as the window nears its final stretch.