Liverpool are preparing to explore the sale of Federico Chiesa in the upcoming January transfer window. The Merseyside club aims to offload the 28-year-old Italian, who appears surplus to requirements under manager Andoni Iraola.
Chiesa was rumoured to leave Anfield as early as the summer, but Liverpool failed to receive adequate offers to facilitate a move. His situation has been further complicated by the expensive signing of Bradley Barcola, which has intensified competition for places on the flanks.
The Italian missed the start of the season due to a muscular injury, preventing him from making an impression on his new boss.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown believes Chiesa's chances of establishing himself at Liverpool are all but gone.
Brown stated:
It has been clear for quite some time that Federico Chiesa has no real future at Liverpool. He has never been a regular starter under any of the managers he has worked with, and I don't think that is going to change now. Iraola doesn’t rate him highly, either.
He acknowledged that Chiesa's injury has hindered his efforts to make an impact:
Of course, the injury at the start of the season didn’t help him. But if the coach doesn't see the player in training, how can he form a good opinion of him?
Perhaps the player is not to blame. It's just one of those unfortunate circumstances that can happen in football.
Following Mohamed Salah's departure, Liverpool has been actively searching for new wingers. They secured Barcola in the summer but fell short of signing all their intended targets.
Brown opines that Liverpool might be inclined to strengthen their attacking wings once again in January.
Liverpool was looking for new wingers, signed Barcola in the summer but missed out on several other targets. It's clear they want to bolster that position and could return to the market in January. I think this suggests that they don’t particularly rely on Chiesa.
According to Brown, the hierarchy would be open to discussing Chiesa's departure should a club express interest.
If someone makes an offer for Chiesa during the transfer window, I believe Liverpool will be open to negotiations and could let him go.
Chiesa is expected to recover from his injury by January. However, there have been no concrete offers regarding his transfer thus far.
