Liverpool agree surprise €13 million deal for Federico Chiesa

After a slow start to the transfer window this summer, Liverpool have reportedly completed their second signing, agreeing an unexpected deal for Juventus and Italy forward Federico Chiesa.

Earlier in the week, The Athletic reported that Juventus were willing to part ways with Chiesa, now 26, for a fee of roughly €15 million, given that his contract expires next summer and he is not part of newly-appointed manager Thiago Motta’s plans for the upcoming season.

Many sources indicate the deal is all but confirmed as Juventus will receive a final package of €13 million. Chiesa will reportedly travel to Merseyside on Wednesday to complete his medical and officially sign his contract. 

The Reds have had an unusually quiet transfer window thus far, making only one signing in Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is set to remain at Valencia on loan this season. Nonetheless, there is a growing optimism around the club for the ongoing season and the beginning of Arne Slot’s tenure as head coach.

Liverpool have long been said to be admirers of Chiesa, who joined Juventus from Fiorentina in 2020 in a deal worth up to €50 million.

The Italy forward had a bright start to his Juventus career, going on to be one of the most electric forwards in Serie A under then-Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri. 

In January 2022, Chiesa suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for over nine months. He made his comeback during the 23/24 season, where he scored 10 goals in 37 matches in what was an underwhelming campaign for a tactically-challenged Juventus side.

He has also been a regular feature for the Italian national team over the last few years, and was the standout performer in their title-winning EURO 2020 campaign. The 26 year old featured for Italy in EURO 2024 earlier this summer as they were disappointingly knocked out in the round of 16.

With his performances at Fiorentina and initially at Juventus as well, along with a hugely successful EURO 2020 tournament, Chiesa established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

His career has since been significantly hampered by injuries as the Italian has struggled for both fitness and form.

A change of scenery from Juventus to a vastly different team in terms of structure and tactics in Liverpool, not to mention the experience of a different league, might be just what he needs to regain his confidence and get back to his best.

From a tactical perspective, it seems quite the perfect fit — at least on paper.

Chiesa is a naturally gifted attacker, capable of playing across the forward line with ease. He is predominantly a right winger, but he was employed often as a center forward for Juventus last season. While this resulted in his second-best league scoring season (9 goals), it was a system that largely restricted his attacking abilities.

Liverpool manager Slot typically prefers a specific profile for his wide forwards, requiring them to be "strong and unpredictable" when it comes to dribbling and one-on-ones. Chiesa fits the bill almost perfectly, offering solid close control and dribbling with both feet, as well as a creative spark in the box and solid shooting ability.

His ball progression as a dribbler, along with his versatility and experience playing in all three frontline positions also brings a different dynamic to Liverpool’s attack, which is already stacked with talent, namely in Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, and Luis Diaz.

Chiesa will likely start as a bench option, being able to cover for any of the starting forwards, especially Salah.

Salah's consistency and excellence across the past few seasons has meant that Liverpool have not needed a direct backup, but Chiesa’s signing presents an opportunity to manage Salah’s minutes more carefully, ensuring that he is able to rest enough despite the congested club schedule this season.

This signing does appear to be more of a market opportunity than one Liverpool were planning from the beginning. That being said, getting a forward of Chiesa’s quality and experience, despite his injury concerns, for €13 million in this market is fantastic business nonetheless.

Liverpool did express interest in Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon early on in the window, so bolstering the attack was clearly a priority, but it is quite well-known that the Reds’ biggest area of concern has been defensive midfield and signing a six.

Chiesa’s signing is one of those rare low-risk, high-reward deals; not unlike Liverpool’s signing of Xherdan Shaqiri in 2018. If it works out, it could well end up being the signing of the season, and if not, the Reds won’t be much worse off.

For €13 million, the financial risk is negligible, and Chiesa is coming into an established, well-functioning team with a clear hierarchy. There will be minimal pressure on him to deliver immediately, and considering that he likely won’t start every game, he should also have time to regain full fitness. 

Liverpool have had a positive start to the season, securing 2-0 wins in both of their first two Premier League games against Ipswich Town and Brentford, respectively. The addition of a dynamic forward like Chiesa will only help as they look to challenge both Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title.