Darren Bent says Liverpool now have a player who would have cost £70m three years ago

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Liverpool are often regarded as one of the best teams in England when it comes to finding bargains in the transfer market.

From signing Alexis Mac Allister last summer for just £35m to long-term investments like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s reputation as one of the kings of the English transfer market is one that the Reds have earned fair and squad.

And this summer saw Liverpool land another potential bargain in Federico Chiesa, with the winger signing from Juventus for just £12m, a deal that could go a long way for Arne Slot if the Italian international hits the ground running at Anfield.

And Darren Bent is one such person who believes Liverpool have landed a good deal.

Chiesa labelled as a £70m player after Italy’s Euro 2020 win

Speaking to TalkSport, the pundit highlighted how Chiesa was once valued as much as £70m after Italy’s success at Euro 2020, where the winger played a huge part in the Azzurri winning the entire tournament, with England losing in the final on penalties.

Bent said: “If you are talking about Chiesa of three years ago when he won the Euros, you are not getting him for anywhere near £12m. You are talking more in excess of £70m probably. That’s how good he was.

“Maybe he has lost his ways with the injuries, a lack of form in the last three years, but still there were flashes at the Euros when he was coming off the bench and you go: ‘Top-quality player’.

“He would have gone to Liverpool knowing he is not going to start straight away .If he can get his fitness back up there and start to get more opportunities, you had to sign him because for me, he is still a top player. And he is still at a good age as well.”

Liverpool can help Chiesa increase his value again

It is true that Chiesa’s price tag has taken tumble after tumble since the summer of 2021, with injuries and a real lack of form with Juventus all leading to the winger leaving Turin for just £12m this transfer window.

Yet at Liverpool are a club who have proven they can get the best out of players in need of a boost, and that can happen to Chiesa in the coming seasons with a lot of care and detail to his performances in the Premier League.

Whilst Chiesa might not be worth as much as £70m, there’s a real chance that the attacker can double or even triple his current market rate at Liverpool, and the Reds could benefit financially if the forward cracks on with life in England with ease.