Liverpool have confirmed the bargain signing of Italian attacker Federico Chiesa from Juventus on a reported four-year contract for an initial fee of just £10m.
The 26-year-old becomes the second signing of the Arne Slot era following Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, although unlike the Georgia international, Chiesa will link up with the Reds right away.
The former Fiorentina man heads to Merseyside after being frozen out of the Bianconeri squad under Thiago Motta, leading Juventus to accept an extreme cut-price fee as he entered the last 12 months of his Turin contract.
"I'm so happy to be a Liverpool player," Chiesa told the official Reds website. "Do you want to join Liverpool?' – and the coach called me – I said yes immediately because I know the history of this club, I know what it represents to the fans. So, I'm so happy and I can't wait to get started."
Chiesa rose to prominence at Fiorentina before swapping La Viola for Juventus in 2020, initially on a two-year loan deal before joining the Old Lady on a permanent basis in 2022, and he leaves with 32 goals and 23 assists under his belt from 131 appearances.
We are delighted to announce that we have reached an agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Federico Chiesa, subject to international clearance. 🙌🔴 #BenvenutoFederico
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 29, 2024
Chiesa: 'I told my wife to play You'll Never Walk Alone'
The attacker, who is comfortable on either wing and even through the middle as a second striker, also shone during Italy's run to Euro 2020 glory, although he has also been hampered by injuries over the past four years.
Nevertheless, a £10m deal potentially rising to £12.5m with performance-related add-ons was too good for Liverpool to pass up, and Chiesa revealed that he asked his wife to play You'll Never Walk Alone on the way to England.
"And I just want to say something that stuck to my mind when I was about to land [in] the aeroplane. I saw Anfield and as soon as I saw Anfield I said to my wife, 'Put the song on – You'll Never Walk Alone – because I want to imagine myself playing there and hearing the chant of the fans.' It was just a fun bit," Chiesa added.
The 26-year-old has inherited an intriguing shirt number at Anfield, taking the number 14 that was previously worn by former captain Jordan Henderson throughout his 12 years in the Anfield home changing room.
That jersey has also been sported by Xabi Alonso, Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Sir Kenny Dalglish at various points in their Liverpool careers, and Chiesa joked that he was "destined" to be Liverpool's next 14.
© Reuters
"It's the number I've been wearing with the national team but it was an easy pick because Liverpool sent me a video and at the end of this video – which was showing my career [and] the goals I scored with Fiorentina and Juventus – it was me with the No.14 shirt on so I said, 'Ah, it was destined to be!', so I chose the No.14," Chiesa added.
Could Chiesa succeed Mohamed Salah at Liverpool?
On account of his lack of football so far this season and the extreme competition for attacking starts at Anfield, Chiesa will likely only be a squad player for Slot in the first few months of his Reds career.
Usurping the in-form Luis Diaz on the left will prove challenging, while Cody Gakpo is a competent option on that side too, but Chiesa should be the first port of call if something happens to Mohamed Salah.
Furthermore, the Egypt international's contract only runs for one more season, and his future remains clouded in major uncertainty, as talks over a new contract are not believed to have begun just yet.
Whether Salah does pen a new deal or depart amid interest from the Saudi Pro League, Liverpool will be in safe hands with a man over five years his junior, even if Chiesa's injury record makes for unpleasant reading.
Ben Knapton
