Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa is eyeing a summer exit from the club, with the Italian even reportedly willing to return to Italy on lower wages.
Chiesa was Arne Slot’s first signing as the Reds’ head coach back in the summer of 2024, coming in as something of a cheap gamble.
There was a risk that the Italian’s best days were behind him, but equally, he still had the enduring quality to be a potential hit at Anfield.
Barring the odd sporadic moment of quality, Chiesa has been a big disappointment for Liverpool, however, making only one start in the Premier League this season.
It feels likely that the 28-year-old will depart the Reds at the end of the current campaign, and a new claim from Calciomercato (via TEAMtalk] backs that up:
“After choosing to stay in England a year ago despite some interest from Serie A, the 1997-born player is now starting to consider a possible return to Italy, for which he would even be willing to lower his current salary of around €6-€6.5 million (up to £5.6m, $7.6m).”
The natural time for Federico Chiesa and Liverpool to part ways
Chiesa was an elite attacking player in his prime, with Alessandro Pierini lauding him before Italy beat England in the final of Euro 2020, saying:
“He’s world-class. He has all the ability and desire of a great player. If he improves then he’ll be even better than his father [Enrico]. I have loads of respect for Enrico and all he has done to help Federico come on as a player until now.”
Now, Chiesa is a far cry from that footballer, though, and it makes complete sense for him and Liverpool to part ways in the summer.
Slot clearly doesn’t rate him highly enough to warrant playing him often, and it is hard to see the winger suddenly find a new lease of life from nowhere.
A return to Serie A and a slower-placed league could be ideal for Chiesa, and there is no reason why he couldn’t be useful for one of the leading clubs.
He will depart Liverpool as a popular figure, despite his lack of impact, having always given his all, which arguably can’t be said of every Reds player this season.