I have already seen the impact that Federico Chiesa could have at Liverpool

When Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool was in doubt, with his previous contract set to expire in the summer of 2023, the Reds were regularly linked with a number of potential successors. Jarrod Bowen and Raphinha were perhaps the two right wingers most frequently mentioned.

But they weren’t the only regular names to appear in the transfer gossip columns, with Federico Chiesa also tipped for a move to Anfield on more than one occasion.

While any need for an imminent successor to Salah was silenced by the Egyptian’s signing of a three-year extension in 2022, speculation over a transfer linking the Italian to Liverpool has continued sporadically in recent seasons.

And now it might finally come to fruition. THE ECHO reported Monday evening that tThe Reds have inquired about the striker’s availability before the transfer window closes on Friday, with Chiesa believed to be available for around £13million.

With his contract set to expire next summer, he is redundant in Turin, with new Juventus coach Thiago Motta making it clear the forward is not part of his plans.

“They are out of the project and they have to find a new club,” Motta revealed in pre-season of Chiesa and a number of other unwanted Juventus stars. “We are convinced that it is the best possible decision.”

“Yes, Chiesa’s absence is linked to the transfer window. We made it clear after speaking with all the guys. We have strong players, used to continuity.

“At the moment, the club is looking for solutions elsewhere, we must find them as quickly as possible for the good of all. The decision has been made.”

Although no solution has yet been found despite the start of the new season and the end of the transfer window approaching, Motta’s position on Chiesa remains unchanged.

“Our position on Federico Chiesa has not changed,” he said ahead of Juventus’ Serie A opener against Como. “We have talked. He is not part of our plans.”

When Liverpool first started talking about Chiesa, he was one of the most sought-after young strikers in Europe after two prolific campaigns with Fiorentina. The 23-year-old has scored 23 goals and provided 15 assists in 78 appearances for The Viola during the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns.

It was on this form that he joined Juventus in October 2020 on a two-year loan with a conditional obligation to buy, for a total value of €60 million. How come he is now available at such a low price less than four years later?

Chiesa initially impressed at Juventus, scoring a career-best 15 goals and 11 goals in 46 appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, with the versatile forward’s playing time split between both flanks.

He then showed such form at the delayed Euro 2020 and was one of Italy’s star players despite initially starting the tournament as a substitute.

I was reporting on the tournament for the ECHO at Wembley that summer, and although that mainly meant following England’s fortunes, Chiesa was one of the players I had my eye on when watching Italy’s games because of the already well-documented transfer speculation.

He didn’t disappoint. Coming off the bench at the end of the round of 16 against Austria, he opened the scoring with a masterstroke from the right wing at the start of extra time. On a cross from Leonardo Spinazzorla, he cut into the opposing goal with an excellent touch before scoring an unstoppable half-volley.

Such a performance was enough for him to earn a place in Roberto Mancini’s starting XI, at the expense of Domenico Berardi on the right wing, for the remainder of the tournament.

Back at Wembley for the semi-final against Spain, Chiesa again scored a stunning goal to open the scoring. This time he picked up the ball on the left side of the penalty area, cut back inside before beating two defenders and the motionless keeper into the far corner.

And while he was unable to replicate such exploits in the final against England, he was once again Italy’s most dangerous attacker, registering three shots and three successful dribbles.

After Italy’s penalty shootout victory, it was no surprise to see Chiesa named in UEFA’s Team of the Tournament, up front alongside Raheem Sterling and Romelu Lukaku, having been Italy’s man for the occasion. Now a European champion, he will certainly remain a player to watch.

Had he been available for transfer this summer, he would have inevitably demanded a hefty transfer fee and had a choice of suitors. Sadly, injuries have thwarted his chances over the last three seasons, and that is no longer the case.

He had already been hampered by a hamstring injury in the first half of the 2021/22 campaign, before suffering a season-ending ACL injury against AS Roma in January 2022. And while he would return to action the following November, he has inevitably taken his time to regain fitness.

Last season was quite impressive for Chiesa, who scored 10 goals and provided 3 assists in 37 appearances. And in those outings, he started 29 times, although the majority of his playing time came in midfield rather than in his preferred position.

As a result, the Italian has been seen as an injury-prone player following his ACL injury two-and-a-half years ago. Yet he has missed just six of Juventus’ 43 games as they finished third in Serie A and won the Coppa Italia.

Meanwhile, Chiesa ended the season well by starting the final against Atalanta and also scored vital goals by completing the full 90 minutes in Juve’s last two Serie A league games, as they fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with fifth-placed Bologna and win 2-0 against Monza.

Now that he has a new manager in Turin and Motta, and with just one year left on his contract, he is no longer wanted. Such circumstances, which only paint a false picture, have meant that he has been harshly written off. But rather than a gamble that interested teams are reluctant to take, he could be a shrewd purchase for Liverpool.

And with sporting director Richard Hughes, the Reds can boast of having the most informed minds when it comes to Serie A football and judging Chiesa’s credentials.

Hughes is a former Scotland international but actually grew up in Italy, spending seven years in Atalanta’s youth academy before joining Arsenal in 1993. His fascination with Serie A would continue long after his move to England.

His love of Italian football led to many discussions with Michael Edwards regarding players like Alisson Becker and Mohamed Salah long before their transfer to Liverpool. Therefore, it is safe to say that he knows exactly who to watch in Italy and how these potential targets are performing.

While sceptics might raise eyebrows if the Reds decide to bring in Chiesa, remembering Arthur Melo’s disastrous loan spell at Juventus two years ago, Liverpool bosses may well view the forward as low risk.

Aged just 26, he still has plenty of years ahead of him and has plenty to prove following his change of fortunes at Juventus. He is incredibly versatile, capable of playing on either flank, up front, behind a main striker and deeper, and is known for his pace, dribbling ability and work rate.

Although right-footed, he is equally adept at striking the ball with his left foot and can therefore play successfully on the right flank. In fact, prior to joining Juventus, the majority of his playing time as a senior player was spent on that flank.

In the past, Liverpool have lacked a natural alternative to Salah on the right flank, which was not necessary due to the Egyptian’s availability and consistency, but a lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury last season left them short of players. While he has started the new season in impressive form, it is understandable that the Reds would want more depth in such a role – especially when you also consider Diogo Jota’s past weaknesses.

Available for a pittance compared to his previous market value, Liverpool would sign a quality striker who can play in multiple positions. If he does, it would be a masterstroke, with the Reds enjoying the striker’s best years at Anfield. If not, they would at least strengthen their squad in the short term without risking a major financial loss.

Add to that Salah’s uncertain future at Anfield, whose contract expires next summer, and Liverpool will have to plan behind the scenes for the Egyptian king’s succession, debating who the player’s successor might be. If he were to leave when his current deal expires, it would be surprising if the Reds did not invest significantly in replacing him.

Four years ago, Chiesa would have been the subject of such conversations. Granted, the jury is still out on whether he can be again, but the rumors of his demise have been exaggerated. The fact that he was dropped by Juventus after a serious injury doesn’t tell the whole story.

As Liverpool assess their options in the final days of the transfer window, the Italian’s presence would at least ensure they don’t have a completely empty void to fill when they find themselves without Salah’s services.

At Euro 2020, I watched Chiesa go from being a team player to the star of Italy’s victory at the end of the tournament. If he could do the same at Anfield, demonstrating once again why he was regularly talked about in the first place, he would be worth every penny.