Federico Chiesa has already become something of a cult hero at Liverpool despite not playing many games for Arne Slot’s men this season.
The Italy international was brought to Anfield for a fee worth around £12.5million including add-ons, which, for a player of his calibre, seemed like a massive bargain.
However, despite the winger having plenty of ability to share with the team, Slot failed to give him much playing time, which has caused some questions to be raised about his future.
Arne Slot looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Numerous clubs, such as AC Milan, have been linked with an interest, but now it seems the race to acquire his services has stepped up a gear or two.
As mentioned, AC Milan have been the Serie A side most recently linked with an interest in Chiesa, but since that initial report, not all that much more has been said.
The attacker is still just 27 years old and is about to enter the prime years of his career.
So, with that in mind, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Napoli have already ‘held talks’ with Chiesa’s camp.
That is, according to a report from Football Italia, who outline that Antonio Conte wanted him last year before he moved to Liverpool, although ‘negotiations’ with Juventus never began.
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It has also been previously reported that even though Chiesa would be happy to stay at Liverpool, his priority is to return to Italy after a season on the sidelines.
Federico Chiesa pictured in action for Liverpool during their game against Brighton.
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Liverpool must hold onto Federico Chiesa for as long as possible
Even though Chiesa didn’t get the game time he deserved last season, he still has a place in Liverpool’s first-team squad.
That is, especially if one or both of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez choose to exit Anfield, as recent reports would suggest.
Both Nunez and Diaz have been long-linked with a Liverpool exit, with the Reds actually having to rebuff an offer from Barcelona for the latter of the two.
Player Games Goals Assists
Luis Diaz 50 17 8
Darwin Nunez 47 7 7
Federico Chiesa 14 2 2
The 2024-25 seasons of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa in numbers.
Diaz was one of Slot’s strongest attackers last season, but with him having just two years left on his contract, now would be the perfect time to sell.
Nunez still has a few years on his deal, but judging by the performances he put out throughout the 2024-25 campaign, his Anfield career is more or less over.
Indeed, only time will tell what the future holds, but for now, Slot must keep hold of Chiesa for as long as possible so that he isn’t left with just three attackers at Liverpool next term.