Liverpool reluctantly AGREE to let star leave after agent talks

Liverpol have entered talks to reluctantly let one star leave in January. The Reds aren't happy about it

Liverpool signed Federico Chiesa in the summer - their sole new addition for this season. There was plenty of hype around him, too, and there's no question that the signing made sense.

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After all, here's someone who was worth over £100m just a few short years ago. Now Liverpool picked him up for a little over £10m - the ultimate Moneyball signing.

But that signing came with risks. Would Chiesa actually be the player Liverpool wanted him to be? And without a pre-season at Juventus, would he be fit enough to play a role?

Unfortunately, the answer to the second question has been 'no' and that's quite dramatically led to the first question's answer also being 'no'. Chiesa has barely played - just one start all season and that came in the EFL Cup.

We're expecting Jayden Danns to catch up with him in that regard by next week.

And so maybe it isn't any great surprise that Liverpool are in talks over an exit for Chiesa. Even if they're reluctant to do so.

Federico Chiesa back to Italy

Foot Mercato claims Chiesa wants to move back to Italy, even just for six months. Napoli are now the frontrunners for his signature, with Antonio Conte eager to add him to the ranks there.

Liverpool have not been in favour of letting Chiesa go but held private talks with his agent recently. Out of that came an agreement that they'd discuss potential moves away in January.

Napoli, though, lack the finances to push through a permanent deal. This would just be a loan to the end of the season - and one that, potentially, gets done quickly.

Napoli's formal offer is expected at the start of next week, with Liverpool open to accepting it. Though, there are decisions to be made on potential purchase options.

Liverpool 'aren't totally excited' about losing Chiesa permanently and would need convincing to allow a permanent option. That could be done through Napoli paying more of his wages over the loan - but even then, it's a tough sell.

Expect this one to run for a little while, then. Liverpool could be ready to give up on Chiesa, though, after just a few months.

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