Ben Doak could be set to benefit if Federico Chiesa decides to cut his Liverpool stint short this summer. The Italian winger, who joined the Reds from Juventus last summer on a four-year deal, has found himself largely sidelined this season.
Despite costing a modest $17 million, manager Arne Slot clearly expected more from the 27-year-old Euro 2020 winner. His fifth league appearance of the campaign came as a substitute against Chelsea, earning him a winners’ medal.
According to Calciomercato, Chiesa is keenly aware that he’s in his prime and is eager for regular first-team football. The report quotes that he has ‘paid the price of competition’ and that his relationship ‘never fully blossomed’ with Slot.
Chiesa, who featured off the bench against Chelsea, is said to be torn on his future with Serie A clubs Napoli and AC Milan reportedly interested in bringing him back to Italy. This news could be a boon for Doak, who has been waiting for his chance to shine on Merseyside.
Doak had a promising spell at Championship side Middlesbrough before a thigh injury in January halted his progress. The winger could be the ideal backup for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool. Darwin Nunez is also set to depart Anfield, with clubs from the Saudi Pro League showing interest, creating room for the ex-Celtic youth player.
In January, both Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town were keen on securing his services, launching $21 million bids for the speedy teenager. According to a new report from The Athletic, Liverpool is believed to be interested in retaining the young player, but is also prepared for potential summer offers.
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Slot has been hesitant to approve a transfer, hoping that the player might make a significant contribution to Liverpool’s first team next season. Liverpool would only consider offers exceeding $40 million to authorise the sale of the young player.
The Liverpool boss had indicated before the Chelsea defeat that Chiesa will feature in the remaining games of the season in order to receive a winners’ medal. But he only got a brief runout and Slot was forced to clarify the situation afterwards.
Asked about his decision, Slot said: “Because I decided to bring other players in first, because I already brought Darwin [Nunez] in, so that wasn’t a position I could bring him in.
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“Then Cody Gakpo, I liked him a lot today, he played a really good game and I’ve changed him and took him out in the last few weeks many times already.
“Mo [Salah] is always a player that can score a goal, so that’s why I first made different substitutions. In the end, I would almost say what people expect from me over here is we take an extra risk, so get a defender out, bring Federico in.
“That also led to us scoring the goal, but not enough time left for him to make the difference, unfortunately.”
