Federico Chiesa has been linked with a return to former club Juventus this month, but manager Luciano Spalletti has dismissed speculation over a move.
Federico Chiesa: Spalletti Responds to Juve Claims
Spalletti’s dismissal: Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has emphatically shut down talk of a return for Chiesa, labelling the reports as “nothing concrete.”
Liverpool’s stance: Despite Italian claims of a €12 million asking price, Anfield sources maintain there has been no formal contact.
The market: Liverpool’s reluctance to sell is heightened by Antoine Semenyo’s £65m move to Man City. Chiesa is now expected to feature throughout January.
Liverpool sources have already shut down claims from Italy of talks over a deal to send Chiesa back to Juventus, and Spalletti has now reinforced this stance.
Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, the Juventus boss was questioned on interest in the 28-year-old.
“I am pleased you are giving me this news, seeing as we haven’t even had a meeting yet on the transfer market,” he said, per Football Italia.
“But it’s the first I’ve heard of it. For the moment, it’s just thrown out there, but absolutely nothing concrete behind it.”
Federico Chiesa to Juventus return rumours: Loan claims and Liverpool price tag
Federico Chiesa of Juventus FC (Image: Insidefoto di andrea staccioli/Alamy Live News)
Juventus were claimed to be seeking an initial six-month loan with an option to buy, while on Wednesday, Tuttosport reported an asking price of at least €12 million (£10.4m).
But with Mohamed Salah still at the Africa Cup of Nations, Alexander Isak sidelined for the long term and Hugo Ekitike‘s fitness now in question, there is little chance of Liverpool allowing Chiesa to leave this month.
This comes as Antoine Semenyo, who was considered a target for the Premier League champions, nears a £65 million move to Man City with a medical booked for Thursday.
Chiesa could even find himself in contention to start in Liverpool’s next game away to Arsenal, with Ekitike a doubt and both Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz arguably better used elsewhere.
Why Federico Chiesa isn’t starting – and why he may need to
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 27, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot embraces Federico Chiesa after he was substituted during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But the Italy international’s last start came on the right wing against Wolves, with his most prominent outing as a centre-forward this season being in the 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup in October.
The difficulty he has been faced when called upon as an experienced head in much-changed sides, including against Palace and also in the humiliating 1-0 loss to Plymouth in last season’s FA Cup, has been held up as a reason he is not trusted by Slot.
However with fewer and fewer options available to the head coach and a relentless schedule throughout January, it is likely that Chiesa is given more opportunities in the weeks to come.
Whether that comes against Arsenal or, more likely, Barnsley in the FA Cup on Monday night remains to be seen – but neither are expected to mark the end of his time with the club ahead of a return to Juventus.
Federico Chiesa: 2025/26 Liverpool Stats
Competition Apps (Starts) Total Minutes
Premier League 15 (1) 228′
Champions League 3 (0) 61′
EFL Cup 2 (2) 180′
TOTALS 20 (3) 469′
* Data via Transfermarkt as of Jan 6, 2026.