Liverpool rejected Besiktas approach for Chiesa despite Champions League snub | OneFootball

Reports in Italy claim that Liverpool turned down an approach from Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas for former Juventus forward Federico Chiesa, despite the fact that he has not been included in Arne Slot’s Champions League squad list.

Chiesa joined Liverpool at the end of the summer transfer window in 2024, but had to watch from the sidelines for the majority of his first season at Anfield, due to a combination of fitness issues and the fact that he was competing for a starting position with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and the late Diogo Jota.

He has since made three appearances in the Premier League at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, albeit for a combined total of 29 minutes, and has netted his first goal in the English top flight in the process.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Despite his encouraging cameo appearances in the Premier League, Chiesa has not been included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad list for the first half of the 2025-26 campaign.

What is even more surprising is that Liverpool only named 22 players on their Champions League ‘A list’, when they were allowed up to 25. One slot was presumably being reserved for Alexander Isak, who completed his British transfer record move to Anfield after the Champions League squads were submitted.

With Chiesa now out of Liverpool’s Champions League plans, and with minutes in the Premier League far from guaranteed, there had been suggestions that he could leave Anfield after just one year.

Reports Liverpool turned down Besiktas approach for Chiesa

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Despite the fact that the Premier League and Serie A transfer windows closed on September 1, a handful of markets remain open.

One of those is in Turkey, where the summer transfer window is scheduled to close on September 12.

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, Besiktas had made an attempt to sign Chiesa from Liverpool, but were met with rejection by Liverpool.

The Turkish giants have since brought in Vaclav Cerny from Wolfsburg and former Roma winger Cengiz Under on loan from Fenerbahce instead.