Liverpool are closing in on a club-record deal for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, but the German's arrival could spell the end for another of Arne Slot's players
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at Amex Stadium on May 19, 2025 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Federico Chiesa is ready to push for a summer move from Liverpool
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Federico Chiesa is set to push for a summer exit from Liverpool, with Florian Wirtz closing in on a move to Anfield. Chiesa joined the Reds last summer in a £10million deal from Juventus.
But he has found his opportunities on Merseyside limited in the extreme. The Italian made just 14 appearances in all competitions, registering only two goals, with Arne Slot preferring Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo on the wings.
Chiesa was handed just one Premier League start and even that only came in the penultimate game of the campaign, after Liverpool had wrapped up the title. The 27-year-old was generally seen as the sixth-choice attacking option by Slot.
He could slip even further down the pecking order after Liverpool complete their business this summer. The Reds are pushing hard to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz in what would be a club record deal.
They submitted an improved offer for the German on Saturday and an agreement is expected to be reached. That has placed Chiesa in a difficult position as bids to return to the Italy squad in time for next summer's World Cup.
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It is understood that with Wirtz on his way in, Chiesa is now looking to cut his stay with Liverpool short. The attacker's priority is on securing a move back to his native Italy.
While he loves Liverpool as a club and city, his limited game time has become a serious issue. Several Serie A sides have already started talks and are seeking to be kept informed on any room for a deal.
Chiesa's decision to seek an exit comes as somewhat of a U-turn from the 27-year-old. On Friday, he insisted he was happy on Merseyside and that he would be happy to remain with the Reds.
Florian Wirtz
The news regarding Chiesa comes with Liverpool closing in on a deal for Florian Wirtz
He told Corriere dello Sport: “The year is over. But it’s an experience I would do again. Soon I will sit down at the table with the club, Fali (Ramadani, his agent) and my family to find the best solution. I wouldn’t mind staying in Liverpool at all.
"You accept the choices as a professional and you move on. In the first few months there were many difficulties, if you think that I arrived in Liverpool on August 26 and found myself catapulted to another planet, with other teammates, without having trained with them.
"At the beginning I felt the frustration of the radical change and of being far behind the group, then there was the injury. Could I start to discuss the choices of Slot who has always been very respectful towards me, as well as the club? The desire to play was there, I put it aside, I understood the situation."
The news regarding Chiesa comes as Liverpool submitted an improved bid for Wirtz. The new offer is for £100m to be paid to Leverkusen upfront, with an extra £13m in add-ons.
That is an improvement on the original £109m bid Liverpool submitted, with the Reds having no intention of agreeing to the £126.4m price tag Leverkusen have slapped on the playmaker.
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