Federico Chiesa to Liverpool takes twist as £13m transfer target 'waits for rival offer'

Liverpool’s hopes of landing Federico Chiesa are hanging by a thread with the player reportedly having his heart set on a move to Barcelona. The 26-year-old forward has been deemed surplus to requirements by Juventus manager Thiago Motta, after he took over the Serie A side this summer.

With just 12 months left on his current deal, the Italian international is set to be allowed to leave in a cut price deal, rather than be released on a free next summer.

And he’s been heavily linked with a move to Anfield, with Arne Slot running out of time to boost his squad for the 2024/25 campaign ahead of Friday’s summer transfer window deadline.

On Monday, Liverpool did finalise a deal to sign goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. However, the Georgian will immediately return to the Spanish club on loan and then head to Anfield for the 2025/26 season.

Slot has already seen a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zabimendi fall through after the Spanish international opted to stay at his boyhood club. And now the Dutchman will be anxious over developments with Chiesa.

According to Spanish media outlet Sport 45, the Euro 2024 star is determined to move to Barca. However, any potential deal will he dependent on the Catalan club getting approval from La Liga.

Barca, who have struggled with financial constraints the past few years, will need to prove to the authorities that they have the funds available to sign Chiesa and honour his wages without breaching regulations. Juventus are said to be prepared to let him go for as little as £13million.

Chiesa was left out of the squad for Motta’s first league game in charge against Como, and also didn’t feature when the Old Lady played Hellas Verona on Monday. But while the player heading to Spain would be viewed as a major blow, Slot has refused to panic over the club’s lack of transfer acitivity.

Pressed ahead of Sunday’s game with Brentford on whether he had concerns, he replied: “No, because I trust the team. I inherited a really good team, a team of many young players as well and I think we all know, especially young players they can develop.

“We just try to work as hard as we can with them and trust them a lot. They proved last week they have earned this trust and I am hoping they can show the same on Sunday as well.”

Indeed, the Reds duly continued their winning start with a 2-0 victory to mark Slot’s first home game in charge. Should they manager to sign Chiesa this week, he’ll be eligible for Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.