Liverpool have reportedly already made a decision on Federico Chiesa’s future.
Chiesa, 27, joined Liverpool from Juventus in a deal worth £10m – with a further £2.5m in performance-based add-ons – in the summer of 2024.
And despite Arne Slot’s side enjoying what promises to be a Premier League-winning campaign, the Italy international has struggled for game time and has played just 25 minutes in the league with most of his 11 appearances coming in cup competitions.
Although in his 11 showings Chiesa has registered two goals and two assists, Slot, 46, tends to turn to the likes of Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott if his side requires an impact from the bench.
The Dutchman recently gave the reason why some of his players hardly feature.
“That’s of course more difficult [bedding players in] because these players hardly train with the starters if you look at our schedule in the last three or four months,” said Slot in a press conference earlier this month.
“So if we play for example on Saturday and then we play on Tuesday again, then on Sunday the ones that played on Saturday only do a recovery session, so they’re not on the pitch.
“And then it’s the day before the game and it’s maybe 10, 15 minutes of tactics, where it’s more walking football than playing football. So there’s hardly ever a moment when they can compete with each other.
“But the day after the game I’m always outside, my assistants have great exercises and the players always show themselves in these moments.
“So those are moments to show where you are. If you’ve improved, yes or no, and if you come closer to the players that are starting – and of course, when they come in [off the bench].”
Federico Chiesa has featured sporadically for Liverpool this season (Credit:Getty)
So, where does Chiesa’s future lie?
Well, Italian outlet Football Italia reports that Liverpool have “resolved to part ways” with the 27-year-old.
It is claimed that Antonio Conte’s title-chasing Napoli side are ‘keen’ on the winger with the former Chelsea boss seeing him as a potential ‘valuable addition’ to his squad.
The outlet also reported that Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti would welcome Chiesa’s return to Serie A, as he ‘believes’ he could be a crucial figure in Italy’s squad in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
Chiesa is valued at £15.2m by Transfermarkt and is contracted to Liverpool until June 2028.
