Liverpool Weigh Up Federico Chiesa Future as Atletico Madrid Show Interest

Chiesa Has Struggled To Settle At Anfield

The Italian winger made the move over to the Premier League, signing for Liverpool in August 2024 for £10 million with a potential £2.5 million in future add-ons.

Liverpool viewed the deal as a low-risk opportunity to revive the career of a player who had once been among Europe's most exciting wingers.

If they could unlock just some of the undoubted ability that Chiesa demonstrated in the 2020/21 season for Juventus, where he scored 14 goals and 10 assists in 43 games across all competitions.

However, since that season, Chiesa has struggled to match those numbers with the Italian Giants, with the hope that a fresh start with Liverpool could have reignited his career both on the club and international level, but that isn't how this move has played out so far.

Throughout his two years at Liverpool, he has never been able to nail down a starting spot, with the forward finding himself behind the former legendary winger Mohamed Salah.

Therefore, out of the 32 Premier League games that Federico Chiesa featured in, only two of them were starts. 

This has understandably become frustrating for Chiesa, who many feel hasn't been allowed to show his full ability in a Liverpool shirt, and it has led to Chiesa being linked with a move away from the club this summer. 

What Has Been Reported?

According to French outlet FootMercato, Chiesa is of interest to Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid this summer transfer window.

The player is someone the Spanish side has been keeping close tabs on for some time, with Diego Simeone admiring the profile of the quick and tricky winger.

However, Chiesa is reportedly prioritising a return to his native Italy if he leaves Anfield this summer, with a move back to Serie A believed to be his preferred option despite Atletico Madrid's interest.

Even so, a move to Atletico Madrid could offer Chiesa the chance to reignite his career in one of Europe's top leagues.

With regular minutes potentially more attainable than they were at Liverpool, the Spanish club could provide the fresh start the Italian winger has been searching for.

And as for Liverpool, they are said to be more than open to offers this summer.

Liverpool Should Think Carefully Before Sanctioning Another Departure

If this were last summer, the idea of losing Chiesa wouldn't be seen as too big a loss for the Reds. The Italian was getting next to no game time under Arne Slot, and it could have been seen as a sale that Liverpool could authorise. 

That situation has changed this summer. Mohamed Salah has departed the club, and Cody Gakpo has just come off the back of a poor season for the club. Furthermore, under new manager Andoni Iraola, Chiesa may have an opportunity to turn his career around on Merseyside. 

Iraola was famed at his previous club, Bournemouth, for having quick, dynamic and technical wingers who were also able to play on both sides.

These are some of the key characteristics that Chiesa, at his best, possesses in abundance, and that is why the 28-year-old could be set for a new lease of life under the Spanish coach, who has given Chiesa a chance to impress during pre-season. 

It remains to be seen whether the Italian has done enough for Iraola to keep him going into the new season, but with LFC's lack of attacking options at the moment, Liverpool can ill afford to sell Chiesa without a replacement being lined up.