Liverpool Strikes Late: Chiesa Deal Sealed

In the final moments of the transfer window, Liverpool's sudden activity has been likened to the last-minute rush of completing summer homework—a sentiment that perfectly captures the Reds' flurry of deals after a summer mostly focused on offloading players. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed it with his signature “Here we go!”: Liverpool is set to sign Juventus winger Federico Chiesa for €13 million plus add-ons.

In an era where Italian football has struggled to maintain its former glory, the 26-year-old Chiesa stands out as one of the few shining stars. Originally loaned from Fiorentina to Juventus in 2020 for a fee of €12.6 million, Chiesa played a crucial role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph as a key member of the squad. Unfortunately, a severe ACL injury in January 2022 hindered his progress, but Juventus still exercised their option to purchase him outright for €44.6 million in the summer of 2022.

Last season, Chiesa featured in 37 matches across all competitions for Juventus, scoring 10 goals and providing 3 assists. However, under new manager Thiago Motta, Chiesa has found himself surplus to requirements. Throughout his Juventus tenure, Chiesa made 131 appearances, netting 32 goals and assisting 26 times. With a current market value of €35 million, Liverpool has secured a great deal, further strengthening their already formidable attacking options.

Chiesa himself expressed his excitement about the move: “I’m ready for a new adventure. I want to say goodbye to Juventus fans and thank them for the love they’ve shown me over the years. I’ll always cherish those memories.” Meanwhile, Juventus seems to be putting all their hopes on securing Jadon Sancho, as reported by Di Marzio. However, negotiations with Manchester United could be lengthy, given the high asking price.

Back to Chiesa—Liverpool has long admired him, and despite already boasting a stacked forward line with Mohamed Salah, Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo, their summer focus was initially on bolstering the midfield, particularly in the No. 6 role. The acquisition of a Salah backup wasn't originally on the agenda, leading some to speculate whether Chiesa’s signing is preparation for Salah’s potential departure. However, another theory suggests that Liverpool brought in Chiesa to manage Salah’s workload during the crucial stages of the season.

Given Salah’s age (32), new coach Arne Slot has identified the need to better manage player fatigue, which contributed to the team's poor form towards the end of last season. With Chiesa now in the squad, Slot can rotate Salah more effectively, ensuring he remains fresh for the season's critical moments. Of course, the key will be clear communication, ensuring Salah understands that this move benefits both him and the team.

Liverpool's ability to buy low and sell high continues to be impressive. Just this summer, the club sold Clark for €11.8 million with a 17.5% sell-on clause after initially signing him for just €1 million, sold Sepp van den Berg for €23.6 million after purchasing him for €1.9 million, and moved Fabio Carvalho to RB Leipzig for a fee potentially reaching €23.4 million with bonuses and a 17.5% sell-on clause, after bringing him in for just €9.4 million. On the buying side, both Giorgi Mamardashvili and Chiesa were signed for fees below their market values.

Regardless of how you look at it, Liverpool’s late transfer activity has significantly bolstered their attacking depth. As they head into the new season, the Reds remain strong contenders for the Premier League title. How will Slot fare in his first season at Anfield? Fans have even more reason to be excited.