Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move from Liverpool to Juventus throughout the January transfer window
Federico Chiesa reacts as he warms up prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United
Liverpool star Federico Chiesa has been linked with a January move to Juventus(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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There has been a potential twist in the future of Liverpool's Federico Chiesa with Juventus reportedly closing in on an alternative target. The Italian giants have been heavily linked with an interest in Chiesa throughout the window.
The 28-year-old has struggled for regular game time since moving to Liverpool last summer. This season, the majority of his 16 Premier League appearances have come from the bench. It has led to speculation that he could be on the move in the current January window.
He was due to be on the bench for the Reds’ Champions League clash against Marseille this week but suffered an injury in the final preparations for the match, ruling him out of contention to make an appearance.
Juventus are said to prefer a loan move for the attacker, but Liverpool will only sanction a permanent exit for a fee of between €15 and €20 million (£13-£17.4m). The club will also reportedly want to bring in a replacement if they are to sanction an exit.
Reports in Italy suggest that Juve may now have moved on to other targets. TuttoSport, via Football Italia, claims that an agreement has been reached with Fenerbahce for Moroccan attacker Youssef En-Nesyri.
The agreement involved a loan deal with an option to buy included. The deal will also see Juve pay a loan fee of €5 million (£4.4m).
Federico Chiesa during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Barnsley.
There is now a doubt over a potential move to Juventus for Federico Chiesa. (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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En Nesyri has just returned from representing his nation at the Africa Cup of Nations, so should be able to complete the move pretty quickly. If that’s the case, then it would put a doubt on if Juve will retain their interest in Chiesa between now and the end of the window.
Speaking earlier in the window, Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti poured cold water on the rumours linking the club to Chiesa.
"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.
“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.”
Any potential exit for Chiesa, without Liverpool bringing in a replacement, would give youngster Rio Ngumoha a chance to step up more. The 17-year-old made an instant name for himself at the start of the season by scoring a stoppage time winner against Newcastle.
Florian Wirtz looking very much like Liverpool's £116m player