Journalist: Liverpool forward still expected to leave this summer | OneFootball

Federico Chiesa to Serie A? Liverpool Face Another Big Transfer Decision This Summer

Liverpool’s summer is starting to feel increasingly defined by difficult calls, and Federico Chiesa appears to be moving towards the centre of one of them. Credit to James Pearce on the Market Madness podcast for the original reporting, which points firmly towards an outcome that would bring the Italy international’s brief Anfield spell to a close.

There is a clear sense around this situation that all roads may now lead back to Serie A. As Pearce explained, “I think the most likely outcome is that by the end of transfer window Chiesa will play for a Serie A club.” That assessment feels significant, not only because of the certainty behind it, but because it reflects where Liverpool may stand internally as they continue shaping the squad under Andoni Iraola.

Chiesa arrived with intrigue and a degree of excitement. At roughly £10 million, the deal looked smart on paper, especially for a player of proven pedigree at international level and with experience at elite clubs. Liverpool believed they were securing quality value and useful depth in attack, particularly on the right side. Yet the reality never truly matched the idea.

Across two seasons, opportunities were limited and rhythm proved elusive. Selection patterns under Arne Slot suggested Chiesa was rarely fully trusted, often restricted to brief cameos rather than meaningful runs in the side. Once that dynamic sets in, it can become difficult to reverse, especially at a club where competition for attacking places is relentless and every squad role is scrutinised.

Liverpool transfer plans create major Chiesa question

What makes this potential exit more interesting is the broader context of Liverpool’s transfer market. Squad planning is not done in isolation. If Chiesa leaves, Liverpool would be removing a specialist attacking option at a time when the forward line already carries uncertainty. Depth matters, and natural wide players are not easy to replace without serious investment.

Photo: IMAGO

There is also the matter of profile. Chiesa offers directness, experience and a natural understanding of the wide forward role. Even if he has not become a key figure, Liverpool would need to weigh whether they can afford to lose another attacker before adding one or two of their own. In a market where prices rise quickly and availability can shift fast, timing is crucial.

Serie A move may suit all parties

From the player’s side, a return to Italy would make sense. Serie A is familiar territory, and the possibility of regular football may now hold obvious appeal. For Liverpool, moving on a player who has never quite established himself could help reshape the squad and release space for a more tailored attacking addition.

Yet there is a balancing act here. Liverpool can justify a sale if a replacement is lined up or if Iraola is convinced existing options can cover the role. Without that clarity, any departure risks creating another problem in a summer that already demands precision.

Chiesa’s future increasingly looks as though it lies away from Merseyside. If Pearce’s reading proves accurate, Liverpool’s challenge will be ensuring that one exit does not deepen an already delicate rebuild.

Our View

As a disappointed Liverpool supporter, this report is hard to read without feeling a familiar frustration. Chiesa may not have been a regular starter, but this is exactly the kind of situation that sums up how poorly things have been handled over the past two years. We signed a talented attacker for a sensible fee, barely used him properly, and now seem ready to let him go before solving the bigger issues in the squad.

The most annoying part is that this feels reactive rather than planned. Supporters can accept players leaving if there is a clear strategy behind it. What we struggle to accept is watching depth disappear while rivals spend heavily and move decisively. Liverpool already need more goals, more pace and more creativity in attack. Letting Chiesa leave before those problems are addressed feels risky in the extreme.

There is also a wider concern about how players are evaluated once they arrive. If Chiesa was good enough to sign, why was he never trusted for a sustained run? And if he was never considered the right fit, why was the club in that market to begin with? Those are fair questions.

Iraola has walked into a difficult job, and supporters will want to back him, but backing him also means giving him enough quality options to compete. If Chiesa goes and Liverpool fail to replace him properly, fans will see it as another self-inflicted weakening of a squad that already has too much ground to make up.