Liverpool reportedly have one condition that needs to be met before Federico Chiesa’s exit can be sanctioned. The Italian has failed to stake a claim in Arne Slot’s side since arriving from Juventus in 2024, with Chiesa now being tipped to depart during the January window.
The forward has made 20 appearances this season, but crucially, he’s managed just three starts for the Premier League champions. It was a similar story last season when Chiesa started only four times throughout the season for Liverpool.
Unsurprisingly, an exit appears to be edging closer, with a return to Italy being spoken about. Chiesa is said to have the upcoming World Cup in mind, with the Azzurri boss Gennaro Gattuso yet to select Chiesa in any of his squads.
TuttoSport, a Turin-based newspaper, claim Juventus are readying a formal transfer bid for Chiesa, 18 months on from selling him to Liverpool for £12.5million.
However, they go on to state that Liverpool’s current attacking depth has presented a blockade to the deal, as the Merseysiders don’t want to sanction an exit until Mohamed Salah has returned. The legendary Liverpool forward left for the Africa Cup of Nations in December, with his Egypt side having reached the semi-finals of the competition.
Injury problems to the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak have also left Liverpool somewhat in the lurch, with suggestions they might turn to the market for reinforcements in January.
But when quizzed on potential incomings, Slot kept his cards close to his chest, stating: “I am really happy with the squad we have. All the decisions made last summer and the summer before are completely aligned with me, Richard [Hughes] and the ownership. This season has shown how talented this group is and if everyone is available, how good a team we can be.”
Defence is another area Liverpool have found themselves short in this season – something that could’ve been aided by the addition of Marc Guehi. The 20-time English champions had a deal agreed with Crystal Palace for Guehi, but it fell through at the 11th hour.
On the prospect of signing the centre-back in January, Slot added: “I never talk about transfers in public, let alone talking about a transfer from another club. My answer is always the same. We don’t talk about players that are not ours.”