In a move that may surprise many, Liverpool has reached an agreement with Juventus for Federico Chiesa’s transfer at a cost of £10 million in addition to £2.5 million in bonus. Pending a successful medical, the 26-year-old Italian international, primarily a winger or secondary striker, is set to become the second recruit of Arne Slot’s tenure as Liverpool manager. Chiesa will follow Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Georgian goalkeeper from Valencia, who joined for €30 million on Tuesday, provided he obtains a work permit and global clearance. The goalie would officially join the Reds from the Spanish side before the commencement of the 2025-26 season.
Chiesa, en-route to Liverpool from Turin on Wednesday, expressed appreciation to Juventus fans and shared his excitement to start a new chapter in his career, assuring that the Old Lady would always have a special place in his heart. Despite admitting that leaving the Turin-based club is saddening, the Italian forward expressed his genuine happiness for the fresh challenge in Merseyside.
Slot’s pursuit of Chiesa has raised eyebrows as the squad boasts potent forward options such as Mohammed Salah, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo. This move was unexpected given that Liverpool’s focus this window was to bring on board a defensive midfielder. Earlier in the month, a deal for Martín Zubimendi, Spain’s Euro 2024 winner from Real Sociedad, failed to materialise.
Under the guidance of their recently appointed sporting director, Richard Hughes, the Reds took advantage of the opportunity to sign Chiesa. The Italian, who was crucial to Italy’s victorious Euro 2020 campaign and scored 32 times in 131 games for Juventus, adds quality to Liverpool’s firepower. Hughes had hinted at possible ‘opportunistic’ signings during Slot’s introduction as the team’s new leader back in July.
Chiesa continues the legacy of his father, Enrico, a former participant for Italy, which saw him register seven goals in 17 games for his nation in the mid-to-late 1990s. – Guardian
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