Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is reportedly keen to keep hold of forward Federico Chiesa this summer.
The 27-year-old Italy international endured a difficult debut campaign at Anfield following his £12m transfer from Juventus last summer.
Chiesa struggled with injuries and was a peripheral figure in a Liverpool side who won the Premier League title, featuring just six times in the top flight.
Liverpool’s No.14 made a further eight outings across the Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, scoring in the final of the latter competition as the Reds lost 2-1 to Newcastle United in March.
Chiesa has been linked with a potential exit from the Reds this summer, with the versatile attacker hinting in June that he would be open to re-joining Juventus before hanging up his boots.
However, Chiesa still has three years remaining on his contract at Anfield and has refused to close the door on his Liverpool career despite an underwhelming debut season under Slot from an individual perspective.
Liverpool's Federico Chiesa pictured on September 25, 2024
"The year is over, but it’s an experience I would do again," Chiesa told Correire dello Sport earlier this summer. "Soon I will sit down at the table with the club, (my agent) Fali (Ramadani) and my family to find the best solution.
"I wouldn’t mind staying in Liverpool at all. This experience was important, formative, you have to believe me. Having studied at an English school I had no problems with the language, I really enjoyed measuring myself against a different culture, different ideas, even football ones."
Slot has overseen a major makeover of his first-team squad so far this summer, with over £250m spent on several statement signings including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
The Reds are looking light in the forward department, though, following the sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and also the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
Chiesa set to remain at Liverpool this summer
As a result, Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Slot will not sanction the sale of Chiesa this summer, with Liverpool said to have never considered the attacker to be on the market, despite interest from Serie A champions Napoli and Inter Milan.
The report adds that Chiesa recently had a direct meeting with Slot, while his agent has held talks with Liverpool's management, and the club’s 'unequivocal' response is that the attacker is still needed at Anfield.
It remains to be seen whether Chiesa will be fit to feature in Liverpool’s opening Premier League game of the new season at home to Bournemouth on Friday after missing the Community Shield loss on penalties to Crystal Palace last weekend.
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