Federico Chiesa’s time at Liverpool appears to be drawing to a close as the Italian winger seeks a move away from Anfield. Recent comments from Liverpool manager Arne Slot have shed light on Chiesa’s ongoing fitness struggles, which have limited his involvement with the team since his summer arrival from Juventus.
Calciomercato report how Slot explained Chiesa’s absence from the squad in their recent 5-0 victory over West Ham, stating, “We are working on his match fitness, and whenever we can, we try to bring him into the team. We thought it would be better for Federico to have some extra training sessions instead of joining us.” This statement highlights the ongoing challenges Chiesa has faced in adapting to the physical demands of English football.
The 27-year-old’s Liverpool career has been marred by injuries and a lack of playing time. Since the start of the season, Chiesa has made only four appearances, totalling a mere 123 minutes on the pitch. His last significant involvement came in a Carabao Cup match against Southampton, marking his first appearance in nearly three months.
Chiesa’s desire to revitalize his career and return to his previous form has led him to consider a move away from Liverpool. The upcoming January transfer window presents an opportunity for the Italian international to seek a new challenge and regular playing time.
Several Italian clubs have expressed interest in bringing Chiesa back to Serie A. Napoli has emerged as the frontrunner, with reports suggesting that the player’s agent, Fali Ramadani, is set to meet with Liverpool officials in the coming days to discuss a potential move. Napoli’s new manager, Antonio Conte, has reportedly given his approval for the transfer.
Atalanta are also considering a move for Chiesa, potentially offering a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season. Other Serie A clubs, including Inter Milan, Roma, and AC Milan, have been linked with the player, although his high wages present a significant obstacle.
The primary challenge in facilitating Chiesa’s move lies in his substantial salary, reported to be around €7.5 million net per season. A loan deal with Liverpool covering part of his wages seems the most likely scenario to make any transfer feasible.
