Liverpool’s Pursuit of Federico Chiesa: Huge 24 Hours
Liverpool have entered a critical 24-hour window in their pursuit of Juventus forward Federico Chiesa. The Euro 2020 winner, who has been sidelined by Juventus’ new head coach Thiago Motta, is now at the centre of intense transfer speculation.
Liverpool’s Approach for Chiesa
Renowned Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed that Liverpool had made a formal approach for Chiesa. With the transfer window closing imminently, time is of the essence for the Reds if they wish to secure the services of the 26-year-old. Chiesa, who is out of contract with Juventus next year, is available at a significantly reduced fee. Reports from Italy suggest that Liverpool could complete the deal for as little as €12 million to €15 million.
Matteo Moretto, another transfer insider, highlighted that Chiesa’s potential salary at Liverpool would be between €4 million and €5 million per year, equating to just over £80,000 per week. This figure aligns with Liverpool’s wage structure, making the deal financially feasible for the club.
#Calciomercato | @juventusfc, #Chiesa aspetterà ancora un giorno per capire se il @FCBarcelona riuscirà a tesserarlo, altrimenti comincerà a valutare altre soluzioni (tra cui il @LFC) https://t.co/MdZk6vf5nz
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) August 26, 2024
Barcelona’s Interest in Chiesa
However, Liverpool face late competition from Barcelona, who are also eyeing Chiesa to bolster their attacking options. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chiesa is waiting to see if Barcelona can make a concrete offer before deciding on his next move. This could be a crucial factor in the deal, as the player may prefer a move to the Catalan giants.
Barcelona’s financial struggles are well-documented, and the club has been unable to register key players, including Dani Olmo, due to salary cap constraints. With Ilkay Gündoğan’s departure, there is hope that Barcelona could free up the necessary funds, but time is running out.
Juventus’ Decision to Freeze Out Chiesa
Chiesa’s situation at Juventus has been tumultuous. Despite playing a pivotal role in Juventus’ qualification for the Champions League and scoring nine goals in 33 Serie A matches last season, he finds himself out of favour under Motta. The club had initially hoped to extend his contract before Euro 2024, but Chiesa’s future remains uncertain as he explores options away from Turin.
Opportunistic Signing for Liverpool
Liverpool have long been linked with Chiesa, and recent developments suggest that this could be the perfect opportunity for the Reds to finally bring him to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes has emphasised the importance of “opportunistic” signings, and with Chiesa’s market value plummeting from €60 million to a fraction of that price, this deal could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for Liverpool.
In conclusion, the next 24 hours will be decisive in determining whether Chiesa will don the red of Liverpool or opt for a new adventure in Barcelona. Either way, this transfer saga is set to reach a thrilling conclusion.