Liverpool are reportedly becoming increasingly likely to allow Federico Chiesa to leave Anfield when the January transfer window opens, with his lack of playing time under new manager Andoni Iraola raising serious questions about his future at the club.
The Italian forward arrived at Liverpool from Juventus in 2024 with the ambition of establishing himself as an important member of the squad. However, his time on Merseyside has been far more difficult than expected, with injuries, limited opportunities and competition for attacking positions preventing him from making the impact he wanted.
According to transfer journalist Dean Jones of Flashscore, a January departure is now looking increasingly possible, while a return to Italy could provide an attractive solution for both the player and Liverpool.
Chiesa’s situation at Liverpool continues to deteriorate
Chiesa would have expected the arrival of Andoni Iraola following Arne Slot’s departure to give him a fresh opportunity to prove his quality.
Unfortunately, the managerial change has not improved his situation.
Despite recovering from a back injury almost a month ago, the 29-year-old has reportedly managed just two minutes of football under Iraola this season.
His only appearance came during Liverpool’s disappointing 3-0 home defeat against Manchester City.
The situation became even more concerning when he was left out of Liverpool’s matchday squad for their Premier League encounter against Arsenal, despite being fit and available for selection.
His absence suggests that he has fallen significantly down the manager’s attacking pecking order.
Three Italian clubs monitoring his situation
A return to Serie A is increasingly being discussed as a possible solution for the former Juventus star.
Lazio, Inter Milan and AS Roma have been mentioned as potential destinations, with the clubs reportedly capable of exploring the possibility of bringing the Italian international back to his homeland.
For Chiesa, returning to Italy could provide an opportunity to rediscover his best form, enjoy regular football and rebuild his confidence.
However, any potential transfer will depend on Liverpool’s willingness to negotiate and the financial structure of a possible deal.
No agreement has been confirmed with any of the interested clubs.
Liverpool’s new attacking options have made things difficult
One of the biggest problems facing Chiesa is the growing competition within Liverpool’s attacking department.
The arrivals of Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola have increased the number of options available to Iraola.
Youngster Lewis Koumas has also reportedly moved ahead of Chiesa in the selection order, while Hugo Ekitike is expected to return from injury.
With several attacking players competing for limited positions, Chiesa’s chances of securing regular minutes appear increasingly slim.
The manager’s recent selection decisions have further strengthened the belief that the Italian is no longer a major part of Liverpool’s immediate plans.
Chiesa wants regular football
At 29, Chiesa is at a stage of his career where regular playing time is extremely important.
The former Juventus winger joined Liverpool hoping to revive his career after leaving Italian football, but his lack of involvement has prevented him from building consistency.
A January departure could therefore be beneficial for his career, particularly if an Italian club offers him a clear opportunity to become an important first-team player again.
Liverpool, meanwhile, could also benefit from allowing a player who is struggling for opportunities to move on.
What happens next?
With the January transfer window approaching, Chiesa’s future is becoming one of the situations Liverpool supporters will be watching closely.
Although there is no official agreement or confirmed transfer, the growing interest from Italy and his limited involvement at Anfield suggest that a separation could be approaching.
Unless injuries create an unexpected opportunity for him, a return to Serie A could become the most realistic option.
For Liverpool, the priority will be finding a suitable agreement, while Chiesa will be hoping to secure the regular football he has struggled to find since arriving at Anfield.
The big question now is whether Liverpool will allow Federico Chiesa to leave in January or give the Italian forward another opportunity to prove himself under Andoni Iraola.
