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Introduction
Federico Chiesa’s surprise omission from Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Asia has sparked a fresh wave of speculation about his future. The 27-year-old, who recently found the net in a 5-0 friendly win over Stoke City, was left out of the 29-man squad that traveled to Hong Kong. While the club cited a minor injury picked up during that match as the reason, many now believe there’s more going on behind the scenes.
Federico Chiesa’s name has quickly resurfaced in the transfer conversation, particularly back in Italy, where multiple Serie A clubs are reportedly circling.
Why Was Chiesa Left Out of the Tour?
Federico Chiesa’s exclusion raised eyebrows because it came so suddenly. Hours after scoring against Stoke, his name was missing from the traveling list. Initial reports pointed to a fitness issue picked up during the game at the AXA Training Centre. However, with transfer season in full swing and Chiesa’s inconsistent involvement last season, it’s not surprising that many see his absence as a possible sign of an impending move.
Even though the injury explanation may hold weight, it hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from churning at full speed.
Napoli Leading the Chase
Of the clubs reportedly interested in Federico Chiesa, Napoli seem to be the most aggressive. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Serie A side are weighing up a move for either Chiesa or Manchester City’s Jack Grealish after failing to secure Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman.
What makes this more intriguing is that Napoli had already reached out to Liverpool over a potential deal for Chiesa over a month ago. At that time, they also made enquiries about Darwin Nunez. While the Nunez talks appear to have cooled off, Napoli’s interest in Chiesa seems to be gaining momentum.
Atalanta Join the Race
With Lookman now expected to join Inter Milan, Atalanta are reportedly targeting Chiesa as his replacement. Broadcasters Sportitalia claim Atalanta are ready to pay around €12 million (about £10.4 million) for the Italian winger. However, there’s a catch they want Liverpool to cover a significant portion of his salary.
If the deal goes through, Atalanta are prepared to offer Chiesa a three-year contract, which could be an appealing option for a player eager to rediscover regular playing time.
Other Serie A Clubs Circle
Aside from Napoli and Atalanta, other heavyweights in Serie A are also said to be monitoring Federico Chiesa’s situation. Calciomercato reports that Inter Milan, AC Milan, AS Roma, and even his former club Juventus are all potential destinations.
That’s six clubs in total showing interest a clear sign that Chiesa still holds strong value in his home country, despite a stop-start season at Liverpool.
Chiesa’s Struggles at Liverpool
Chiesa hasn’t had the smoothest time since joining Liverpool. Last season, he only started four games, made ten appearances off the bench, and was left out entirely on 14 occasions. Despite his talent, it’s been tough for him to break into the regular starting lineup.
Still, the player hasn’t shut the door on staying at Anfield. He recently said he “wouldn’t mind staying” at the club. But with his name now absent from the touring squad and several clubs knocking, his chances of staying might be slim.
Gennaro Gattuso Weighs In
New Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso added fuel to the fire when he spoke about Chiesa in a press conference. Gattuso revealed that he had recently called up 35 players and personally spoke to each one. That included Chiesa, to whom he gave a clear message if he wants to make the national team, he needs to play consistently.
“In these days I called 35 players, I spoke to everyone,” Gattuso said. “Even Chiesa, to whom I told to play consistently. They are players who have been out but who can lend a hand. But the pitch speaks: if you do things well, the doors of the national team are open.”
That statement speaks volumes. Gattuso clearly values Chiesa but made it known that a spot in the Italy squad won’t be handed out on name alone. If Chiesa wants to return to the international fold, he’ll need regular minutes — something he’s unlikely to get at Liverpool if last season is anything to go by.
Return to Italy Looking Likely
All signs seem to point toward a return to Italy for Chiesa. Whether it’s a loan or a permanent move, Serie A clubs are lining up to take him, and his lack of involvement in pre-season could be the first step in that direction.
Liverpool fans may be divided on this. On one hand, Chiesa is a proven talent with big-game experience, including his contributions to Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph. On the other, he’s struggled to fit into Liverpool’s system and hasn’t been able to make much of an impact under the current management.
For Chiesa himself, moving back to Italy could be the reset he needs. With interest from top clubs and the chance to play regularly, it might just be the perfect time to go back home.
Conclusion
Federico Chiesa’s future is up in the air, and it’s becoming clearer with each passing day that a big decision is coming. Whether Liverpool decide to offload him permanently or send him out on loan, the outcome will likely be influenced by whether a club is willing to match both the fee and his wages.
Napoli and Atalanta are leading the pack, but with Juventus, Roma, Inter, and AC Milan also reportedly keen, this saga is far from over.
One thing is certain Chiesa’s next move will be crucial, not just for his club career but also for his ambitions to get back into the Italy squad. With Gattuso watching and Italy needing experienced wingers, the ball is in Chiesa’s court. All he needs now is the right team, the right minutes, and a chance to remind everyone why he was once one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
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The Liverpool FC Times Team
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