Fenerbahçe interest in Chiesa but player wants Italy

Chiesa’s Liverpool Exit Nears as Serie A Return Looms

Exit confirmed as Chiesa waits for right move

It was never going to be a perfect marriage. Federico Chiesa arrived at Anfield in 2024, brought in with cautious optimism after Juventus cut him loose for £15 million. A proven performer when fit, he arrived with pedigree but also with baggage, not least the long list of injuries and a contract that always felt weighty.

Now, as confirmed by Calciomercato, Liverpool are preparing to move on. Chiesa’s omission from Arne Slot’s pre-season tour to Asia is no accident. “The decision has now been made.” reads the Italian report. The decision has been made. The winger is not in the new manager’s plans and will be sold before the window shuts.

Photo: IMAGO

In 14 appearances across all competitions, he played just 466 minutes and scored two goals. Reserve numbers, and that is not a role Chiesa is willing to accept. This is a World Cup year and he wants game time, not the occasional runout off the bench at Luton on a cold Wednesday night.

No interest in Turkey

Fenerbahçe, now under the stewardship of José Mourinho, showed interest. But “Turkey and the Super Lig do not excite the player at the moment.” Chiesa has no interest in Turkey. His priority is a return to Serie A, to a club that offers him trust, minutes, and the stage to prove he still belongs in football’s elite conversations.

Photo: IMAGO

There is one issue, though. Chiesa earns €7 million net per year. That is out of range for even Italy’s heavyweights. If he is serious about a return, a pay cut is non-negotiable. And then there are the medical doubts. The cruciate injury of 2022, the muscle issues that followed, the inconsistency in recovery, any club taking him on knows it is a calculated risk.

Still, when fit, the quality is undeniable.”His talent is not in question.” Calciomercato remind us. He is quick, direct, intelligent, and brings edge to every attack. He just needs a body that allows him to do it regularly.

Milan and Napoli consider calculated risk

Atalanta are watching, should they sell Lookman. Roma too are monitoring. Napoli need a wide man after Ndoye chose Forest. Milan, perhaps most intriguing of all, have had Chiesa offered to them. The Rossoneri are open but only if they first sell either Okafor or Chukwueze. As it stands, a move is not a priority, but that can change quickly in August.

A return to Serie A is on the cards. Now it depends on timing, budget, and compromise. For Liverpool, they want their £15 million back. But if no suitable bid arrives, a discount could be applied before deadline day.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

As Liverpool fans, we can be grateful that the club were willing to roll the dice on Chiesa. On paper, it looked like a steal. A cut-price fee for a player who not so long ago lit up the Euros, and a chance to see a truly continental talent grace Anfield. But football is played on grass, not spreadsheets.

He never looked settled. The pace of the Premier League, the physicality, and perhaps most of all, the sheer competition for places made it tough for him. His cameo appearances were fleeting, and while the quality was obvious in flashes, they were never sustained.

Arne Slot clearly has no use for him in his system, and that is understandable. Liverpool now build with rhythm, pressing patterns and rotation. Chiesa is more of a soloist than a choirboy. He plays in bursts, off instinct, and maybe that no longer fits what this side needs.

A move back to Italy suits everyone. We get the wages off the books, and maybe even recoup what we paid. He gets another chance at relevance. We’ll wish him well, but no one’s pretending this wasn’t a transfer that simply never caught fire.