Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa appears set to leave Anfield this summer, with Napoli emerging as a possible destination, according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà.
In his column for CaughtOffside, Pedullà revealed that Napoli had previously shown interest in Chiesa while he was still at Juventus. Although the Italian international ultimately made the switch from Juve to Liverpool, his time in the Premier League has not gone as hoped.
Pedullà now reports that Napoli could reignite their interest in Chiesa as they aim to bolster their wide options following the appointment of Antonio Conte as manager. With Conte’s arrival, the Serie A side is expected to be active in the transfer market.
Despite Chiesa’s struggles to adapt and make an impact in English football, his past performances in Italy highlight his quality. A move back to Serie A, especially under Conte—who has a reputation for revitalizing players’ careers—could provide the fresh start he needs.
Commenting on the situation, Pedullà said: “Napoli seem to be gearing up for a big summer. After spending around €130m-140m last year, they are now prepared to invest even more. Kevin De Bruyne is reportedly set for a medical and would be a statement signing for Conte’s new era. But he won’t be the only arrival. Sam Beukema from Bologna is also on their radar, a defender who fits well into Conte’s system.
Then there’s Federico Chiesa, a long-time favorite of Conte. Napoli had previously tried to bring him in, but Juventus ended up selling him to Liverpool. However, things haven’t gone to plan in England. He’s had limited minutes under Arne Slot, and that is expected to decrease further next season. A return to Italy, possibly with Conte at Napoli, seems very plausible.”
Could Liverpool already be planning to move Chiesa on?
Although Chiesa only arrived last summer, his future at Liverpool already looks uncertain. His signing was seen as somewhat unexpected, given the depth the club already had in attacking positions. With Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota ahead of him in the pecking order, Chiesa has struggled to break into the starting XI.
Given the need to trim the squad before bringing in new faces, allowing Chiesa to depart could be a logical step for the Reds.
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