Liverpool have reportedly reached a full agreement to sign Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, who will soon travel to Merseyside to pen a long-term contract with the Reds.
The Euro 2020 winner has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, and more specifically Liverpool, where he has been tipped to fill the boots of the ageing Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool had never previously firmed up their interest in signing Chiesa, but they started to seriously explore a deal when the 26-year-old was frozen out of Thiago Motta's Juve squad.
Chiesa only has one year left to run on his contract with the Turin giants, who therefore decided to place him on the transfer list and ostracise him from the group in a bid to recoup a small fee rather than lose him for nothing in 2025.
Following claims that Liverpool and Juventus were making quick progress in negotiations, Fabrizio Romano now reports that the two clubs have come to an agreement over the attacker's transfer, and the Reds will pay their Italian counterparts just €13m (£10.9m).
🚨🔴 BREAKING: Federico Chiesa to Liverpool, here we go! Agreement done for €13m initial fee with add-ons.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 28, 2024
Four year contract for Chiesa as new Liverpool player, set to fly later today.
Chiesa accepted Liverpool immediately. Deal DONE.
Exclusive story confirmed. 🔐🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Yx7hdQwkd4
Chiesa "very happy" to sign for Liverpool
Chiesa will pen a four-year contract with Arne Slot's side until the summer of 2028, and the winger was greeted by members of the media as he prepared to board his flight to Merseyside.
The smiling 26-year-old claimed to be "very happy" and "ready" for his new career path in the Premier League, while also bidding a fond farewell to the Juventus faithful after a four-year stint in Turin.
Chiesa initially joined Juventus on a two-year loan deal from Fiorentina in 2020, a move that was made permanent for £37.6m, and he departs with a record of 32 goals and 23 assists from 131 matches in all competitions.
The 26-year-old won two Coppa Italia titles and one Supercoppa Italiana in black and white, while also battling a series of injuries, including a devastating cruciate ligament issue in 2022.
Internationally, Chiesa was one of the shining lights of Italy's triumphant Euro 2020 campaign and was also a cornerstone of their Euro 2024 squad, although he failed to score or assist during the Azzurri's short-lived title defence.
Where will Chiesa fit in at Liverpool?
Federico #Chiesa è in partenza da Torino per raggiungere #Liverpool con un volo privato. "Sono felicissimo e pronto per questa nuova avventura, ci tengo a mandare un saluto ai tifosi della #Juventus" 🎥 #calciomercato pic.twitter.com/t0KECBD1xQ
— Giovanni Albanese (@GiovaAlbanese) August 28, 2024
While Liverpool may already be brimming with top-class attacking options, it would have been nothing short of ludicrous to pass up a £10.9m deal for Chiesa, who should just be hitting his prime and brings necessary versatility to the Reds' attack.
Equally competent on either wing, the Liverpool hierarchy may very well have had Salah's future in mind when deciding to move for Chiesa, as the Egypt international is still set to become a free agent next summer.
Chiesa competing with Salah for starts this season before becoming his permanent replacement in 2025 is not beyond the realm of possibility, but the Italian could also offer an alternative option on the left or even centrally.
Luis Diaz's bright start to the season means that Chiesa will have a challenge on his hands to oust the Colombian, while Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez are also vying for minutes in Arne Slot's system.
Taking the intense attacking competition and his recent lack of football into account, fans should not expect Chiesa to become an undisputed starter right away, but this deal has the potential to become one of the best bargain buys of the summer.
Ben Knapton
