Arsenal could be about to scupper Liverpool’s bid to land a Serie A star who has long been linked to the club. During Jurgen Klopp’s reign, the Reds were frequently touted to sign Juventus star Federico Chiesa, but a move never materialised.
Chiesa’s future is now again the subject of speculation though, with the Italian international reportedly not part of Thiago Motta’s plans for the 2024/25 campaign.
Liverpool are expected to be in the frame to sign the 26-year-old, with Napoli and Roma also said to be in pursuit.
And it’s the latter club now seemingly in pole position. According to Sky Sport Italia, Chiesa’s agent Fali Ramadani has already held talks with Roma chief Lina Souloukou and new director of sport Florent Ghisolfi.
But the key to them landing Chiesa could rest on the potential sale of former England international Tammy Abraham. The striker arrived in a £34 million deal from Chelsea in 2021, and quickly became a hero in the Italian capital after scoring 27 goals in his first season, helping the club land the Europa Conference League.
However, he’s since been plagued by form and fitness issues, and missed the bulk of last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. And the club are now reportedly ready to let him go in a cut-price £26m deal, a transfer which would help raise the funds needed to sign Chiesa.
Italy striker Federico Chiesa is expected to leave Juventus this summer. (Image: Getty)
Abraham is expected to return to England, and Arsenal are a potential buyer given Mikel Arteta’s desire to boost his striking options. Indeed, the 26-year-old has previously claimed he was deep in conversation with the Gunners, the club he supported as a youngster, three years ago before Roma came calling.
“It was time to move on from Chelsea, and I was talking to various clubs in England and Europe,” Abraham told FourFourTwo. “My focus was on a certain London club. Ii was Arsenal. My dad is a massive Arsenal fan, so he was very keen on it, and everything was going well. Then Jose called.”
Abraham then explained that he spoke with his advisors before deciding to team up with Mourinho. But since moving to Italy he’s dropped out of the England reckoning, and being supplied by the likes of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice is a prospect that could well revitalise his international career.
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It would also pave the way for Roma boss Daniele De Rossi to purchase Chiesa in a big blow to Liverpool. Juventus are unlikely to delay a sale beyond this summer given the forward is out of contract in 2025.
According to HITC, Liverpool have been monitoring developments since the departure of Klopp. However, no reported talks have taken place with the Merseyside club.
