PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool set to announce first new signing of the Arne Slot era
The Anfield club were the last Premier League team to strengthen their squad this summer but are close to bringing in a highly-rated forward.
Liverpool have been remarkably quiet in the transfer market so far this summer. Incoming head coach Arne Slot has been given time to work with his new team but now, with the deadline fast approaching, Liverpool are making moves in the transfer market.
On Wednesday The Athletic reported that Liverpool have agreed a deal to bring in Italian international Federico Chiesa from Juventus. The 26-year-old starred for Italy at Euro 2020 but has fallen down the pecking order in Turin, ensuring that he is available for a cut-price deal.
Chiesa is expected to cost €13 million (£10.9m / $14.5m), a very modest figure in the current market. The forward cost Juventus €50 million (£42.3m / $55.8m) in 2020 but is now deemed surplus to requirements and has been excluded from head coach Tiago Motta’s squad.
Is Federico Chiesa eligible to play against Man United?
Things have progressed swiftly in recent days and Chiesa is travelling to Liverpool to complete the deal on Wednesday. Assuming that an agreement on personal terms can be made, Chiesa will be eligible to feature for Liverpool against Manchester United this weekend.
The Italian will further strengthen Liverpool’s impressive attacking options for the new season. Mohamed Salah remains the stand-out star in this Liverpool attack and he’s started the new campaign on good form, scoring twice in the opening two games.
Salah has started alongside Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota in Liverpool’s first two games, while Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo also offer attacking options off the bench. The addition of Chiesa means that Liverpool will have six players vying for three places in the Liverpool frontline.