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Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool successor on course to hit the jackpot with 'inevitable' transfer
The stars are aligning for Liverpool to land one of their long-term transfer targets in the summer.
Liverpool may finally make their move for Federico Chiesa in the summer amid a long-running contract standoff with Juventus. Reports suggest the Italian will 'inevitably' have to leave Turin if an agreement is not in place by the end of the season, presenting a golden opportunity to whichever manager steps in to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The Reds' interest in Chiesa is believed to stretch all the way back to his time at Fiorentina. The 26-year-old has been with Juve since 2020, initially on loan before making the move permanent, scoring 28 goals in 113 appearances.
The Bianconeri are facing a big decision at the end of the season, when Chiesa will have just one year remaining on his contract. The summer transfer window will therefore be one of Juve's final opportunities to cash in before the winger is able to leave as a free agent.
According to La Stampa, Juventus are scrambling behind the scenes to agree a new contract with Chiesa's entourage, but the Serie A giants are not prepared to go beyond their financial limits.
If the parties are unable to compromise on Chiesa's renewed terms, a summer exit will reportedly be 'inevitable'. Liverpool would likely be towards the front of the queue as they look to start the post-Klopp era on a positive note.
The German is set to leave Anfield at the end of the campaign, with Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi among those linked with the hotseat. There are fears that Klopp's exit could prompt a number of senior Liverpool stars to consider moves elsewhere.
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Mohamed Salah remains amongst the goals but Liverpool will soon have to set about finding a long-term replacement for the 31-year-old. Chiesa fits a similar mould to the Egyptian, although the Reds will have to fend off rival interest from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain to get the deal done.
The Juve star, who can play out wide or up top, has scored six goals in 18 Serie A appearances this season. He is also a regular at international level with 47 Italy caps on his CV.
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Liverpool did not sign a single senior player during the January transfer window as Fenway Sports Group bide their time until the summer. Chiesa is valued at £43million, but the Reds may be able to get him on the cheap due to his ongoing contract debacle.
For now, Klopp's attention is focused on finishing his nine-year spell on Merseyside with a second Premier League title. Liverpool are currently two points clear at the top of the table, but Manchester City have a game in hand.