Napoli are reportedly interested in bringing Italian winger Federico Chiesa on loan for the remainder of the season. According to FootMercato, Liverpool have agreed in principle to the temporary move, with plans to welcome Chiesa back for the 2025-26 campaign.
This development follows discussions between Liverpool officials and the player’s agent, Fali Ramadani, as well as Napoli’s coach Antonio Conte and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Chiesa joined Liverpool this summer in what was the club’s sole transfer window signing following Jürgen Klopp’s departure. The Reds secured the talented winger from Juventus for an initial fee of £10 million ($12.4 million), a deal that surprised many considering his potential and past performances.
The 27-year-old rose to prominence as one of the standout players in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph. However, his career trajectory took a hit after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in early 2022.
Ongoing fitness challenges since then have limited his impact, which may explain Juventus’ willingness to sell him at a significant loss just two years after his permanent transfer to the Turin giants.
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Unfortunately for Chiesa, injuries have continued to plague his time at Liverpool. A muscle issue sidelined him for two months earlier this season, restricting him to just 123 minutes across four appearances.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot recently addressed Chiesa’s absence from the matchday squad against West Ham, explaining the club’s cautious approach to managing his fitness.
“With Federico, we are working on two fronts: improving his match fitness and gradually integrating him into the team,” Slot said. “He was on the bench earlier in the week, but we felt it was better for him to have extra training sessions rather than travel with the squad. It’s a constant balance between getting him fitter and giving him game time.”
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While Liverpool have performed exceptionally well this season across multiple competitions, Chiesa’s limited availability means they won’t miss him in the second half of the campaign.
However, his long-term potential remains a priority, especially with the looming possibility of Mohamed Salah leaving Anfield at the end of the season.
A loan move to Napoli could provide Chiesa with the ideal environment to rebuild his fitness and regain confidence. Playing under Antonio Conte, alongside a competitive Napoli squad, offers the chance for him to find form and rhythm in a less pressurized setting than Liverpool’s demanding schedule.
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