Liverpool forward heading for exit as top Italian clubs make plans | OneFootball

Liverpool Exclude Forward from Tour as Serie A Return Looms for Chiesa

Liverpool Move on as Chiesa Falls Out of Favour

When Liverpool secured Federico Chiesa from Juventus last summer for a fee reported at £12 million plus £3 million in bonuses, it looked like a calculated gamble. The Italian international had pedigree, experience at the top level and was available at a cut-rate price. But a year on, that move now appears to be nearing its conclusion, quietly and without celebration.

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As reported by Calciomercato, Chiesa has been excluded from Liverpool’s pre-season squad for their tour of Asia, where the Reds are set to face, among others, AC Milan. For Chiesa, the writing is on the wall. His time at Anfield is all but over.

His numbers tell the story: just 14 appearances in all competitions, two goals, one in the League Cup and one in the FA Cup, and little evidence that he ever truly settled. Manager Arne Slot has made it clear with his selection choices that the Italian forward is not part of his plans.

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“Chiesa has not been called up for Liverpool’s Asia tour,” reports Calciomercato, “where the Reds will play, among others, against Milan.” The decision all but confirms his departure. The only question now is where he ends up next.

Napoli Keeping Tabs as Options Open Up

Napoli are one of several Serie A clubs exploring the possibility of signing Chiesa. Having already brought in Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang, and with Kevin De Bruyne in the creative engine room, the Scudetto challengers remain active in the market.

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“Antonio Conte wants another wide player to rotate with Matteo Politano, David Neres and Lang,” Calciomercato report, adding that the club have also targeted Dan Ndoye and Ademola Lookman. But with difficulties in negotiations for Ndoye and Lookman seemingly closer to Inter, Chiesa may become a viable alternative.

From a tactical perspective, Chiesa would offer Conte the flexibility to play on either flank, bringing pace, directness and work rate to a system that relies on wide players pressing high and tracking back. For Napoli, the key would be Liverpool’s willingness to do business on favourable terms.

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Milan Reunion With Allegri Among Possibilities

Another intriguing scenario lies at Milan, where the club may look to add a new wide player depending on how the summer unfolds. With Santiago Gimenez arriving to bolster the centre-forward role, there may also be room for an attacking winger if Noah Okafor departs.

“Chiesa would be an interesting option at potentially low cost,” notes Calciomercato. In addition, there is a familiar face on the touchline. “Massimiliano Allegri coached Chiesa at Juventus between 2021 and 2024 and would have no trouble finding a role for him in the squad,” the report continues.

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Chiesa could be used in rotation with Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze, offering Milan added depth across the front line. His versatility could allow Allegri to switch systems mid-match, something he has been known to do throughout his career.

Roma and Inter Weigh Up Their Options

Roma are also mentioned as a possible destination. Gian Piero Gasperini, the club’s new manager, has been vocal in his desire for reinforcements. So far, Evan Ferguson has arrived to lead the line, while Neil El Aynaoui and Wesley have bolstered the flanks.

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“Gasperini is expected to use the 3-4-2-1 system that served him so well at Atalanta,” reports Calciomercato, “and in this setup, Chiesa could play as one of the two attacking midfielders behind the striker.” He would also reunite with Paulo Dybala, with whom he built a strong partnership at Juventus during the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

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At Inter, the situation is more complicated. The Nerazzurri were previously linked with Chiesa but never pushed the move forward. “The 3-5-2 system under Simone Inzaghi had no natural place for him,” says Calciomercato. However, with Cristian Chivu now in charge and a tactical shift to 3-4-2-1 underway, new roles may open.

Still, Inter’s focus remains elsewhere. “Inter are prioritising a move for Lookman,” the report states, adding that the Liverpool player “is not currently a hot target.”

Return to Juventus Looks Unlikely

A return to Juventus, the club where Chiesa once flourished, now seems improbable. He spent four years in Turin, but Calciomercato say he was “rejected by both Thiago Motta and Cristiano Giuntoli.” Even with those figures no longer at the club, the door does not appear open.

“Juventus are searching for a wide player even after confirming Francisco Conceicao,” the report says, “but their main focus is on Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho.” That pursuit, combined with past decisions, makes a Juventus return a remote possibility at best.

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Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool standpoint, Chiesa’s exit now feels inevitable. When he was signed, the club hoped he might rediscover the form he showed with Fiorentina and Juventus, a driving wide forward capable of unlocking defences and pressing with intensity. But that promise never materialised.

Supporters saw flashes, a sharp turn here, a clever pass there, but never anything sustained. He lacked rhythm, fitness, and tactical chemistry with the rest of the squad. The absence of a Premier League goal symbolises how distant he remained from truly embedding into the team.

Slot’s decision to omit him from the tour is definitive. There is no sentiment, no dithering. It is a clear signal that Chiesa’s time at Liverpool has run its course. For a fanbase excited about the future and focused on the Slot rebuild, it is a necessary step.

A move back to Serie A makes sense. The tempo and tactical nature of Italian football suits Chiesa more naturally. With Liverpool open to offers, the hope is for a clean resolution and, ideally, a sale that allows reinvestment elsewhere in the squad.

There will be little sadness at his departure, just a sense of closure. Some transfers work, some do not. This one simply never got going.