Fiorentina manager Stefano Pioli has raised the prospect of winger Federico Chiesa leaving the Viola after stating he doesn’t know whether the Italian international will stay at the club.
The midfielder has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea in recent months after reports that both have sent scouts to watch the 20 year old in action. Speaking on Rai Radio (quotes via TeamTalk.com), Pioli said:
“I’m calm, even if you can never be in football. Can Chiesa become a ‘bandiera’ or will he be sold like [Federico] Bernardeschi? I don’t know. What I can say is that he’s grown a lot, he’s made great strides and he can become very important for this club.”
Chiesa only signed a new four and a half year contract back in November so the comments from the Viola boss do come as a surprise.
The Reds are likely to be scouting targets to replace Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian’s departure in January, and the Italian is certainly a bright young prospect.
This season, the right winger has scored six goals and provided seven assists in 29 Serie A matches. His form was rewarded with his first senior cap for Italy last month in the 2-0 defeat to Argentina. He then made his second appearance against England as a substitute a few days later.
