Liverpool have reportedly made a significant transfer U-turn regarding the future of a “world-class” Reds player ahead of the January window.
It remains to be seen if the Premier League champions decide to make new signings midway through the season, but what about those who could potentially be sold?
Joe Gomez has been linked with a January exit in the past, but increasingly looks like a key squad figure amid injury problems in defence, while Federico Chiesa has also been backed to possibly move on.
According to Football Insider, though, Liverpool have now made a U-turn with the latter, deciding that he will stay put beyond the next window.
This is due to becoming a “bigger part” of Arne Slot’s plans at Anfield, scoring twice in the Premier League and generally impressing more than he did last term.
The right decision for Liverpool to keep Chiesa?
Selling Chiesa in the middle of the season would be a strange decision by Liverpool, not least because Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are both struggling to find top form in the early months of the campaign.
The Italian may not be a regular starter for the Reds, but he has proven to be an effective substitute of late, including scoring a huge late goal in the 4-2 win at home to Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the season.
Chiesa has the pedigree to be a real asset for Liverpool, assuming he can stay fit more than he did in 2024/25, with Alessandro Pierini lauding him during his star showing at Euro 2020, in which he tasted glory with Italy:
“He’s world-class. He has all the ability and desire of a great player. If he improves then he’ll be even better than his father [Enrico]. I have loads of respect for Enrico and all he has done to help Federico come on as a player until now.”
Granted, Liverpool could still do with more consistency from Chiesa, and there is no guarantee that he will remain at the club beyond next summer, but there a very few positives, if any, in allowing him to depart in January.
