Federico Chiesa Left Out by Arne Slot and Could Be on His Way Out of Liverpool
Italian forward left off pre-season tour after injury setbacks and poor form; Barcelona and Betis monitoring situation
Federico Chiesa’s future at Liverpool is increasingly uncertain after the Italian winger was left out of the club’s pre-season tour in Asia. Under new manager Arne Slot, the former Juventus star appears to be out of the Reds’ plans for the 2025/26 season.
Underwhelming Season Leads to Doubts
Chiesa joined Liverpool last season with high expectations following his standout performances at Euro 2021 and in Serie A. However, the 27-year-old failed to live up to the hype, managing just 104 minutes across six Premier League appearances.
Recurring muscle injuries and adaptation issues hampered his ability to break into the first team. Liverpool paid €12 million for the forward, but his contribution fell well short of expectations.
Slot Leaves Chiesa Out of Pre-Season
Slot’s decision to exclude Chiesa from pre-season preparations strongly suggests the player is no longer part of his plans. According to Marca, the Liverpool board is open to offers, with Barcelona and Real Betis already expressing interest.
While Barcelona is monitoring the situation, any move would depend on the club’s financial flexibility. Real Betis, who lost Antony after his loan expired, view Chiesa as a potential low-cost recovery project, possibly through a loan with an option to buy.
Liverpool Restructuring Their Attack
Liverpool have been active in the transfer market this summer, most notably landing Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a €90 million deal. The French striker signed a long-term contract until 2031 and is a clear indicator of Slot’s new vision for the attack.
With several other arrivals and further deals being negotiated, the club is prioritizing exits for underperforming players and Chiesa seems to be among those on the chopping block.
