Liverpool is on the verge of signing Juventus and Italy winger Federico Chiesa in a deal worth £10 million. The 26-year-old, who has expressed his eagerness for a "new adventure," is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days, marking Arne Slot’s first signing as Liverpool’s manager. The club has also secured a deal to bring Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for the 2025-26 season.
Chiesa, the son of former Italy striker Enrico Chiesa, has had an impressive career that began when he joined Fiorentina's youth academy as a 10-year-old. Known for his blistering pace, Chiesa quickly rose through the ranks and made his senior debut for Fiorentina at 18 against Juventus. His versatility on the field made him a key player for the club, where he played as both a winger and a second striker.
During his final season at Fiorentina, Chiesa scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 34 Serie A appearances, which earned him a move to Juventus in October 2020. His debut season in Turin was equally impressive, and he was named in the Euro 2020 Team of the Tournament after helping Italy secure the title.
However, his career took a hit in January 2022 when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that sidelined him for 10 months.
Since returning to action in November 2022, Chiesa has struggled to regain his form, managing only 11 goals and eight assists in 54 Serie A appearances. Despite his struggles, Liverpool sees the £10 million deal as a bargain for a player of Chiesa's calibre and potential.
So why is Juventus letting him go for such a low fee? With Chiesa’s contract set to expire next summer, new Juventus manager Thiago Motta prefers to sell him now rather than risk losing him for free.
Motta, known for his high-pressing style of play, has excluded Chiesa from his first two matchday squads this season, indicating that the player is not part of his future plans.
Liverpool has long admired Chiesa, and they plan to add him to an already formidable forward line that includes Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz.
Although Chiesa often played on the right flank for Italy, at Juventus, he was mainly deployed as a second striker. Slot will have to decide where to best utilize Chiesa at Anfield.
However, Chiesa’s injury history raises concerns. As Italian football journalist Daniele Verri notes, "He can bring some proper speed to Liverpool, but he is very prone to injuries."
Given the physical demands of the Premier League, it remains to be seen whether Chiesa can stay fit and thrive in England. For Liverpool, the deal is a calculated risk a potentially dangerous move, but one with the promise of high rewards.
