Liverpool have completed their second signing of the summer transfer window after Federico Chiesa joined from Juventus.
Chiesa has bolstered what was an already stellar Reds forward line, adding extra speed, versatility and an eye for goal.
The signing has come as something of a surprise for Liverpool, given the options available to Arne Slot already.
Indeed, if all of Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Chiesa are fit, it’s tough to see how Slot can keep everyone happy.
Nevertheless, the head coach appears to have a plan. And as it turns out, Chiesa was not the only new forward player the Dutchman was looking at bringing to Anfield this week.
Liverpool pulled out of Cesar Huerta deal
Although not an especially necessary addition to the Liverpool squad, Chiesa is still a really exciting one for Reds supporters.
Attacking signings generally tend to be well received because these are the players who are going to get the goals and the glory.
As a Euro 2020 winner, a seasoned Italy international and a big name with Juventus over the years, Chiesa’s star power adds a layer to that excitement.
However, according to Mexican journalist Rodrigo Celorio, Liverpool were also planning on bringing in a much lower profile addition.
READ MORE: What Richard Hughes has been spotted doing in Liverpool ahead of transfer deadline day
There were reports earlier on Thursday that Liverpool were close to signing left winger Cesar Huerta from Liga MX side Pumas before loaning him out to the Championship for a season.
But as per Celorio, the deal has now been called off. Taking to X, the journalist claims that Sunderland were the side Liverpool had planned to loan Huerta to, but Black Cats manager Regis Le Bris would not give the green light.
“Liverpool from England were VERY VERY close to signing Cesar Huerta in the early hours of the morning,” Celorio reports.
“He was going to go on loan to a Championship team (Sunderland) but the manager Regis Le Bris didn’t [give the go ahead]. Pumas made it ALL the easier for Chino to leave.”
Liverpool had flight scheduled for Huerta
As if all of that weren’t enough, Celorio goes on to say that Huerta’s move to Liverpool was so far down the line that the Reds had already scheduled the 23-year-old’s arrival in England.
“Chino was going to travel this day at 8 am to England,” says the journalist. “The Reds felt that there was no other ideal team for his development and the following summer he would report to the first team.”
“Pumas made it easy for it to come out.”
This is a fascinating story and it will be interesting to see if any corroboration is forthcoming from the UK.
As a Mexico international, Huerta is a player of some repute in his homeland, but is a name virtually unknown in Europe. Let’s see if Liverpool have a plan for him in the future.
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