Liverpool forward closer to Napoli move | OneFootball

The tour gives Slot a chance to assess his options ahead of the new campaign - with the head coach also having to integrate several new signings.

He will be trying to work out formations that can include the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and - once confirmed - Hugo Ekitike.

And we could end up seeing certain Liverpool players have their tour of Asia cut short in order to wrap out some outgoing deals.

Chiesa NOT on Asian tour

Chief among them are Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz - who could generate plenty of transfer income should Liverpool decide to part ways. One player however who HASN’T made the trip is Federico Chiesa.

The Italian winger played and scored in Sunday’s friendly win against Stoke City but will not feature on tour.

He is out of the tour with a “minor fitness issue” according to a report in the Athletic but his omission could spell the end of his short, unhappy spell at Liverpool.

At least that is how the Italian media sees it, with Tuttosport describing his departure as a “foregone conclusion” now that he’s been left out.

Napoli back in for Chiesa

“This is a clear sign for Chiesa, who is increasingly marginalized from Liverpool's coaching plans and ever closer to leaving the English club,” the report reads.

Indeed, the same report suggests that Chiesa could now come back on the radar of Napoli - the Italian champions with a long-standing interest in the winger.

Having signed Noa Lang from PSV and Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese, head coach Antonio Conte is still intending to improve his attacking options.

© IMAGO - Federico Chiesa Liverpool

Can Liverpool get their money back on Chiesa?

A move for Bologna star Dan Ndoye has been complicated by Nottingham Forest’s interest as well as the Swiss suffering an injury in pre-season. So the Partenopei could be enticed back to the table for Chiesa.

“Watch out for Napoli, who have long shown interest in the Italian winger and could make a move,” the report concludes.

Liverpool signed Chiesa from Juventus last September for a fee that could reach £12.5m. The 27-year-old is under contract until 2028 - meaning the Reds should be able to get most of their money back on a sale.

Wages could prove a sticking point however with Chiesa earning a reported £120k per week and Italian sides so far unwilling or unable to match those demands.

**👉 **Liverpool set to increase transfer budget by £200m 🔗