Should Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid go through, Federico Chiesa is set to become the fifth highest earner at Liverpool. Despite only racking up 387 minutes of game time since his transfer to Anfield this season, it’s understood that 27 year old Chiesa is one of the club’s top earners.
The Italian Euro 2020 champion was Arne Slot’s first signing as manager when he joined the Reds last summer. However, he’s only managed a scant 25 minutes of Premier League action since his arrival.
Nonetheless, his weekly and annual earnings are on par with those of a player who would typically be a regular starter in the top-flight. If Alexander-Arnold does make the switch to the Bernebeu, Chiesa will climb even higher up the Merseysiders’ rich-list.
According to Spotrac, Chiesa’s salary stands at £150,000 per week ($193,000), making him the sixth highest earner at Anfield.
Only Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker and Andrew Robertson earn more than him on the red half of Merseyside. However, if Alexander-Arnold heads to the Spanish capital, Chiesa will break into the top five highest earners.
Chiesa’s position on the salary ladder could rise even further if Salah and Van Dijk also decide to follow Alexander-Arnold out the exit door when their contracts expire in the summer. Like the Liverpool right-back, Van Dijk and Salah will also leave on a free transfer unless the Reds manage to secure them on new deals.
Salah has made his feelings clear regarding the contract negotiations, telling reporters in November that he feels “probably more out than in” when it comes to staying at Anfield. His remarks came on the heels of scoring a brace in Liverpool’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Southampton.
While nothing is certain about Alexander-Arnold’s future just yet, reports from Sky Sports News suggest that Real Madrid have entered talks with his representatives. It appears that Alexander-Arnold’s preferred move would be to join Carlo Ancelotti’s team, even if Liverpool hasn’t been officially notified of any agreement by the current Champions League titleholders.
(Image: Andrew Powell, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The Scouser has climbed through the ranks at Liverpool, featuring for the first time in a senior match during a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup in 2016. Since breaking into the team, he’s been instrumental in the squad’s achievements, clinching every trophy possible under managers Jurgen Klopp and Slot.
At present, Alexander-Arnold is sidelined with an injury picked up during Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, ruling him out of the League Cup final defeat to Newcastle United.
Unfortunately, this also means he missed the chance to be selected for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad. In the current season, operating from his defensive role, Alexander-Arnold has notched up three goals and seven assists in 39 appearances.
While his potential exit will be a setback for the club, Liverpool supporters have been heartened by the performances of Conor Bradley, who has risen to the occasion when called upon. The Northern Irish player particularly stood out in the 2-0 home victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, where he played a crucial role in nullifying the threat posed by Kylian Mbappe.
