Latest news with #FedericoChiesa
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wirtz and Kerkez next? Why Liverpool are spending big
It was an extremely quiet transfer window for Liverpool last summer, with Federico Chiesa the only immediate signing that was despite the lack of additions, the Reds cruised to the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in time, however, they are doing things differently. Liverpool have already brought in Netherlands international Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m, are closing in on his Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz for a fee in the region of a club record £109m and are in talks to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez for between £45m and £ also likely to be further incomings and outgoings to come. Why are the champions opting to spend big? After seeing his side close out their title-winning campaign with a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Anfield, Slot reflected on the club's lack of transfer business last arrived late in the window and while the Reds did also agree a deal to sign Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, he stayed with the Spanish side until this summer."We did things differently," he said. "Apart from signing Federico Chiesa we didn't do a lot so that makes it maybe even more special."If the lack of transfer activity made for a "special" title win, why the change of tack?"It will be just as tough or even tougher next season because the clubs we've competed with this season have always in every window invested a lot of money and they will probably do so this summer as well," Slot added."We just want good players. Ideally you sign them as soon as you can but it is not always easy."The arrival of Wirtz would take Liverpool's spending to £138.5m already, with a mini-transfer window having opened earlier than usual because of the Club World Cup."Liverpool have been outside of the top 10 spenders on player signings since 2019, but their model is a classic case of being smarter rather than bigger," says football finance expert Kieran Maguire."They certainly have the capacity to spend £200m but whether that fits with their model is another matter."This is also a first proper summer transfer window for sporting director Richard Hughes, who joined the Reds in March last that time his immediate task was identifying and appointing Jurgen Klopp's successor but his full focus now, with more than a year to prepare, has been on player recruitment. What other positions will be strengthened? Given how much the Reds have spent already, there is every chance they will spend the £200m Maguire mentions, with several positions still being targeted as areas to moved quickly to address the departure of full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold with the signing of Frimpong, who can play anywhere down the right-hand meanwhile, is seen as a key acquisition for Slot, which is why Liverpool are prepared to pay a club-record transfer fee for City - Liverpool's likely main challengers for the title next season - had also been interested in the Germany international, having viewed him as a successor to Kevin de Pep Guardiola's side were ultimately put off by the potential cost of the deal, leaving Liverpool to press on. Left-back is also an area Slot wants to strengthen with Milos Kerkez - who plays for Hughes' former club Bournemouth - a key agreement has yet been reached between Liverpool and Bournemouth, but the Reds have stepped up their efforts to sign him over the last couple of days. Hughes was Bournemouth's sporting director when Kerkez moved to the South Coast from AZ Alkmaar in Hungary defender dropped a small hint over his future on Instagram recently, posting: "I don't know what will happen in the next week but Cherries family thank you!"Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport: "Kerkez from Bournemouth is a really good option. He's quick, he's got good feet, likes defending one-on-one. He is very tenacious, great energy, and is only 21. "It fits the criteria of Liverpool's recruitment team measured by ability to progress and become more of an asset. I think that's quite likely to happen."The left-back ranks second for most distanced covered of all Premier League full-backs this season (behind only Fulham's Antonee Robinson) and third for most has made the third-most open play crosses in the Premier League and has eight goal involvements this campaign (two goals and six assists).His arrival would raise questions about the future of Andy Robertson and Konstantinos Tsimikas, with the Reds unlikely to need all three left-backs next would be the expected departure but, with Champions League interest in Robertson, his exit instead is a were also one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen before his move to Real Madrid was confirmed, so a centre-back may also be on the radar, particularly as Ibrahima Konate is into the final year of his contract with no news on a new agreement.A new striker could also be pursued, although that will likely be dependent on outgoings in that position. On that matter... Who could depart in summer of change? Slot could be tempted to refresh his attack and both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have been linked with moves joined the Reds in 2022 but enjoyed his best goalscoring form under Slot with 17 in all competitions including 13 in the Premier potential summer moves to either Barcelona or Saudi Arabia have been touted, and speculation over his future has only increased after Diaz and his girlfriend both wrote lengthy posts on social media to Liverpool fans that could be interpreted as farewell Nunez has struggled to start regularly under Slot, who has also made public criticisms of his has had three full seasons at Liverpool since completing a move worth up to £85m from Benfica - and while his effort is praised by Liverpool fans, he has struggled to score consistently."It's time for a freshen up in attack," added Murphy. "I think Darwin has had a lot of chances. If you just simplify it to what we've seen in terms of his contribution and minutes played, Slot obviously doesn't fancy him."Slot has played a winger, Luis Diaz, ahead of him as a striker at times. That tells you everything you need to know."I would be amazed if Darwin stayed. I think the writing is on the wall for him."Another player whose future is unclear is Harvey Elliott. The midfielder made 18 Premier League appearances for the Reds last season but started just two games and recently suggested his future is uncertain by saying "you never know what's going to happen".Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has already departed the Reds to join Brentford, and a busy summer of incomings and outgoings is set to continue for a while longer yet.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'We'll find the best solution for everyone'
Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa says he is still preparing for a return to Merseyside for next season but has not ruled out a move back to Italy's Serie A."That's something to think about during the summer," Chiesa told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport."My family, my agent and I have a great relationship with Liverpool, and the goal is to be ready for the pre-season. We'll find the best solution for everyone. I work every day with a Liverpool programme to be in top shape for the tests on July 8."While out of the squad [at Juventus], I was able to train in great condition, but I missed playing friendlies. I had to start from scratch at Liverpool and that held me back."I hope [next season] it's my season. My dream is to participate in the World Cup."
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Federico Chiesa open to Italy return after frustrating first season at Liverpool
Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa admits a return to Italy is 'something to think about' this summer. The 27-year-old finished a frustrating maiden campaign in England, in which he featured just 14 times after arriving late in August in a £10million deal, as a Premier League winner and is currently targeting a return to pre-season training on July 8. Advertisement But asked about a return to his homeland, the Italy international told La Gazzetta dello Sport: 'That's something to think about during the summer. Chiesa won the Premier League but his first season with Liverpool was a frustrating one (Peter Byrne/PA) 'My family, my agent and I have a great relationship with Liverpool, and the goal is to be ready for the pre-season. We'll find the best solution for everyone. 'I work every day with a Liverpool programme to be in top shape for the tests on July 8. 'While out of the squad (at Juventus), I was able to train in great condition, but I missed playing friendlies. I had to start from scratch at Liverpool and that held me back. Advertisement 'I hope (next season) it's my season. My dream is to participate in the World Cup.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool fan favourite hints at imminent transfer exit after Arne Slot demand
Liverpool star Federico Chiesa has spoken out on his future after a difficult season at Anfield with speculation mounting over whether could be set for a transfer to Italy Federico Chiesa has admitted that his future will be addressed this summer after struggling in his first season at Liverpool. The Italian star was the Reds only incoming transfer last summer in Arne Slot's first season but failed to break into the Dutchman's starting XI. Chiesa arrived at Anfield from Juventus in what appeared to be a bargain deal but initially struggled with injuries. The 27-year-old made just 14 appearances for the club in his first season with just four of those being starts, but despite this he has gained a cult following with Liverpool fans with his song sung regularly on the Kop. The 51-cap Italy international was linked with a return to Italy as early January but remained on Merseyside as Liverpool won the league. AC Milan are said to be a potential suitor this coming summer. Chiesa's focus is on turning up for pre-season in good condition, but a conversation on his future appears to await him. 'It will be a topic to address in the summer," told Gazzetta dello Sport, per Sport Witness. "My agent, my family and I have an excellent relationship with Liverpool. The goal is to be ready for the training camp, we will look for the best solution for everyone." Those words echo what Slot has demanded from his charge. The Dutch head coach believes Chiesa still has a future in Liverpool colours, albeit contingent on one condition. The former Feyenoord boss has called upon the star to return to the AXA training centre fully fit so that he can thrive in pre-season. Slot said: "Does he have a future here? Yes, definitely he has. "Next season, if he comes back completely fit, which he has hardly been for the first half-season, I can give him playing time in pre-season, so he can build himself up and then go even further. "The moment he came in he was, by a long time, not as fit as the other payers were and that doesn't help in the beginning. The other ones did so well, there was not a lot of reason for me to change and then being in the squad becomes difficult if Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are there as well." Chiesa also revealed he was never offered the chance to renew his contract at Juventus before his exit. Thiago Motta, who was sacked in March, informed the player he was not part of his plans. "I was never offered a renewal, there were contacts to talk about it after the European Championship but no one ever got back to me," he said. "When I returned after the holidays and the wedding I immediately spoke to Thiago Motta, who told me clearly and bluntly: 'You are not part of the project, find yourself a team'." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Federico Chiesa breaks silence on future after frustrating first season at Liverpool
Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa admits a return to Italy is 'something to think about' this summer after becoming all but an afterthought during his first season at Anfield. The 27-year-old endured a frustrating maiden campaign in the Premier League, in which he featured just six times with only one start under his belt since arriving late from Juventus in August for £10m. It was a fee that looked a bargain at the time, with Liverpool securing the services of a player that only three years earlier had a nine-figure price tag on his head, having set the footballing world alight as part of Italy 's Euros triumph in 2021. He nevertheless ended the season as a Premier League champion and is currently targeting a return to pre-season training on July 8. But asked about a return to his homeland, the Italy international told La Gazzetta dello Sport: 'That's something to think about during the summer. 'My family, my agent and I have a great relationship with Liverpool, and the goal is to be ready for the pre-season. We'll find the best solution for everyone. 'I work every day with a Liverpool programme to be in top shape for the tests on July 8. 'While out of the squad (at Juventus), I was able to train in great condition, but I missed playing friendlies. I had to start from scratch at Liverpool and that held me back. 'I hope (next season) it's my season. My dream is to participate in the World Cup.' Chiesa made 14 appearances across all competitions, although was limited to just 466 minutes after being blighted by early-season fitness problems. He scored two goals and notched two assists, bagging a stoppage-time consolation in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle back in March.
