Liverpool are on the verge of finalising the £11million signing of Juventus forward Federico Chiesa as Arne Slot steps up his late recruitment drive.
The Italy international is flying into Merseyside on Wednesday to iron out the final details of his move to Anfield after the two clubs agreed a £10.9m fee with unspecified add-ons.
Chiesa will undergo a medical before signing a four-year contract after snatching at the opportunity to join the Reds, saying yes ‘immediately’ to the move, according to widespread media reports.
The 26-year-old held talks over a move to Barcelona but it is understood there was some distance between the two parties over a potential loan to buy agreement.
And Liverpool have now stolen a march on the La Liga giants by agreeing to pay what would be considered a bargain fee for a player of Chiesa’s ability.
The winger has scored 32 goals in 131 appearances for the Old Lady since arriving from Fiorentina on an initial loan, before making his move permanent in 2022. He bagged nine goals and supplied two assists in the Serie A last season.
The deal represents a coup for Hughes and Michael Edwards, Liverpool’s head of global football, and not just because of the low fee.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with Chiesa in the current transfer window after he was told he was not going to be part of new head coach Thiago Motta’s plans. However, all three clubs were put off by the Bianconeri’s £25m valuation.
Liverpool are understood to be paying less than half of that amount up front, representing a deal with impressive value for a player who has won 51 caps for Italy and scored seven goals.
It marks a surprise turnaround from the Reds, who have stepped up their transfer activity late on after a quiet summer in the arrivals department. They were the only club in Europe’s top five leagues not to make a signing before arranging a future £30m deal for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
But just two days after approaching Juventus, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has wrapped up a second deal for Chiesa – the son of former Italy striker Enrico Chiesa.
It leaves Slot with a strong attacking lineup for the 2024-25 campaign, with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott all able to play across the front three.
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