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Since signing for Liverpool from Juventus in the summer of 2024 for a fee of ÂŁ12.5m, the Italian has struggled for game time at Anfield, totalling 1291 minutes across the past two seasons. Whilst a managerial shift from Arne Slot to Andoni Iraola could represent a fresh start for Chiesa with the opportunity to impress under a new tactical system, it is no wonder that speculation about his departure is persisting due to his lack of football.
According to reports by La Gazzetto Dello Sport, the club are monitoring his situation, but the deal hinges on financial viability. Chiesa currently earns around six million pounds per season, which is a figure outside the scope of the Bologna wage structure.
Therefore, it would be likely that Bologna would request a significant wage contribution from Liverpool whilst Chiesa is on loan in the Serie A.
Additionally, the club are looking to the departure of former Norwich man, Johnathan Rowe. Following his arrival from Marseille, The Englishman has impressed for Bologna this season, tallying up twelve goals in forty-four games across the Serie A, Italian domestic cups and the Europa League.
His impressive campaign has reportedly attracted interest from Premier league sides for his signature, a deal that would free up both financial resources and squad space, making the manoeuvre for the Liverpool forward far more feasible.
Chiesa has impressed in the Serie A previously with both Fiorentina and Juventus, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists in his most productive season (2019/20), and with sparks of class shown for Liverpool in handfuls, a move back home could provide more consistency for the Italian.
However, with Liverpool already limited in supply for squad depth in the forward positions, and Mohamed Salah leaving the club, loaning out Federico Chiesa would mean narrowing down the club’s right-wing options to one unnatural winger, Jeremie Frimpong.
With Andoni Iraola announcing in his debut press conference for the club that the side require more signings and are actively working in the transfer market, additions must be expected for the front line rather than further departures.
With Chiesa one of the fifteen players currently part of pre-season training, his involvement is one to keep an eye on, even more so now a move home is making it's way round the rumour mill.
It is entirely understandable why Bologna would want to test the waters for Federico Chiesa, but it is virtually impossible to see Liverpool playing ball on their terms.
If Liverpool were well-stocked in attack, senior figures at the club might have entertained a conversation.
But as things stand, Chiesa remains the squad’s only natural senior alternative to Mohamed Salah on the right flank. Sanctioning a loan departure especially one where Liverpool would likely have to decrease a significant portion of his wages without any benefit on the pitch makes absolutely no sporting or financial sense.
Iraola’s arrival on Merseyside actually represents a timely clean slate for Chiesa. The Italian international now has a golden opportunity to impress his new manager during pre-season, with the hope of carving out a far more prominent role for himself in the 2026/27 campaign than the frustrating, injury-disrupted tenure he experienced under Arne Slot.
For FSG, letting Chiesa walk now, when the squad is already glaringly light in wide areas, would be a massive and unnecessary gamble.
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