Federico Chiesa transfer saga takes fresh twist as Liverpool attacker makes "formative" claim

Struggling Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa has refused to shut the door on his Reds career despite a forgettable first season under Arne Slot.

The reigning Premier League champions appeared to have pulled off one of the bargains of the summer when they captured the Euro 2020 winner for a mere £10.3m ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

Chiesa was one of just two new additions to the Liverpool roster last summer alongside goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, although the latter remained on loan with Valencia for another year.

However, thanks to a combination of factors - including injuries and the scintillating form of Mohamed Salah - Chiesa was nothing more than a bit part player in the Reds' triumphant year.

The 27-year-old only made 14 appearances for Slot's side, registering two goals and two assists, and earning a paltry 104 minutes across six Premier League matches.

Chiesa 'would not mind' remaining at Liverpool

Chiesa still has four years left to run on his Reds deal, but his chances of increased game time next season appear slim to none thanks to Mohamed Salah's contract renewal until 2027.

As a result, a swift exit has been unsurprisingly mooted, and the attacker recently hinted that he would be open to rejoining one of his former teams before hanging up his boots.

However, Chiesa has now expressed his delight at being able to represent Liverpool, telling Correire dello Sport - via the Liverpool Echo - that he would be content to remain on Merseyside.

"The year is over. But it’s an experience I would do again. Soon I will sit down at the table with the club, (my agent) Fali (Ramadani) and my family to find the best solution," Chiesa said.

"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."

Chiesa could be part of mass Liverpool attacking exodus

One can sympathise with Chiesa's situation; no other winger in the world - not even Lamine Yamal or Raphinha - would have started over Salah in most of the 2024-25 campaign, and a lack of a proper pre-season also held him back.

The ex-Fiorentina starlet proved at Euro 2020 just how devastating he can be, but the fewer minutes he plays, the more his value will plummet, and Liverpool certainly have little incentive to sell from a financial standpoint.

However, Chiesa may decide that a change of scene is necessary for the good of his career, and he could be one of a handful of Liverpool attackers to head for the exit door in the coming months.

Luis Diaz has confirmed that talks with other clubs are ongoing amid interest from Barcelona, who are not expected to give up on the Colombian despite one failed approach already.

Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott may also be let go for the right price, but Florian Wirtz is expected to arrive imminently, after which Richard Hughes could switch his focus to a brand new number nine.

Written by
Ben Knapton