Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move away from Anfield
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Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move away from Anfield.
Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move away from Anfield.
(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa is reportedly not closing in on a move to Napoli. The international star has endured a difficult debut campaign on Merseyside and reports have ramped up over a possible summer return to the Serie A.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported this week that the top-flight title contenders are in talks with the former Juventus forward. They suggested that Antonio Conte's side had 'pushed on the accelerator' in their pursuit of the 27-year-old.
Chiesa has made just five Premier League appearances for Liverpool and in his Anfield career, he has amassed 403 minutes scoring two goals and providing as many assist in 13 outings across all competitions.
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However, the report from the major Italian outlet has been rubbished by journalist Ciro Venerato.
It has been suggested that the reports emerging from La Gazzetta have been met with the surprise of Chiesa's representatives and Liverpool are not in talks with sanctioning a sale for the forward.
“On Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa only denials, the agent is as unaware of this alleged approval as the Reds," he told RAI, as relayed by CalcioNapoli24.
"Napoli followed Chiesa in January, now they seem to have other plans."
Question marks surrounding Chiesa have lingered throughout Liverpool's Premier League-winning campaign.
Despite his consolation goal during Liverpool's Carabao Cup final defeat against Newcastle United, the Italian has found minutes hard to come by, and Arne Slot has faced questions over his role within the squad.
He made a cameo appearance against Chelsea following their Premier League title triumph but was out of the squad for the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
Chiesa has failed to break into the first-team and nail a starting berth, due in part to Mohamed Salah's incredible season.
The Egyptian leads the race for the Premier League golden boot and assists standings, with his performances earning him a mention in the conversation for the Ballon d'Or.
“It wasn’t only that I didn’t see a lot of him during training sessions because we had so many games, it was also because he was more than he wanted – more than we wanted – injured," Slot said in April.
"But it was good to see that he impacted the game when he came in [against Newcastle].
"That is what has happened a lot this season already, that when players come in they impact the game.
"The assist was from Harvey Elliott, who has impacted the game a few times now in the last three or four matches.
"So it’s good to see that all these players are ready, and that is partly my job, but also partly the players’ job to stay ready for the moment we need them.
"He’s in competition with Mo Salah and I don’t think you can deny that Mo has had quite a good season.
"So that makes it sometimes tough for him, but we know we can trust him the moment we need him.
"Not only him, it’s also all the other ones that maybe haven’t played as much as Mo and Virgil, but we can trust them every time we need them."