Juventus leave £21m player out of squad for friendly game after claims Liverpool want him

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Liverpool look ready to finally make something happen during the summer transfer window.

The Reds have been quietly assessing their options since the end of the season, with Arne Slot keen to take his time.

The new head coach has wanted to take a look at as many of his Liverpool squad as possible over pre-season before heading into the market.

But with the new Premier League season now just two weeks away, Liverpool are accelerating their plans and could reportedly make as many as four new signings.

With claims that two wide forwards could be on the agenda, some goings on over in Italy could have piqued some interest at Anfield.

Federico Chiesa left out of Juventus squad

It was a surprise to read on Friday that Liverpool could target two new wide men as part of their summer recruitment.

Liverpool’s key target is still Anthony Gordon in that respect, but it does still feel like a long shot that the Reds will be able to get him out of Newcastle before August the 30th.

As a result, it’s likely that the Reds are going to have to look elsewhere for another forward.

They haven’t been short of options in terms of potential deals. Johan Bakayoko remains on Liverpool’s radar and is primed to move in August, while Baris Alper Yilmaz has been heavily linked, too.

READ MORE: £75m player is interested in joining Liverpool and a deal could happen this summer

One more forward who is reportedly in Slot’s sights is Juventus’ Federico Chiesa. As recently as July 27th it was claimed that Liverpool are still interested in Chiesa.

That particular report claimed that with Juve keen to sell the 26-year-old, he could be available for between £17m-21m.

And according to journalist Fabrizio Romano on Saturday, the Italian giants remain determined to sell Chiesa this summer. Taking to X, Romano reports that Juve have left the winger out of the squad to face Brest this evening.

“Federico Chiesa, not even called up by Juventus manager Thiago Motta for next friendly game,” he says. “Juventus priority remains clear, they want to sell Chiesa this summer as planned since June.”

Liverpool should take Federico Chiesa chance

On paper, Chiesa would seem like a non-starter for Liverpool. Given that he’ll turn 27 in October, has a poor injury history and would likely want big wages, he goes against everything FSG usually look for in a new signing.

However, we’d also argue that if Liverpool are looking for two new forwards, they’d need one of them to come in on the cheap.

As well as the potentially negative aspects of this deal, Chiesa is also two-footed, incredibly direct, quick, has an eye for goal and is very much available.

Liverpool have wanted Chiesa in the past, so it’s safe to assume that he’s a player who has caught Michael Edwards’ eye.

The Italy international has previously been unattainable. And although he may not quite be the player he once threatened to become, Chiesa would still add plenty to the Liverpool squad.