Federico Chiesa wants to come back to Turin immediately, but Liverpool’s internal doubts, injuries, and the AFCON timetable are slowing the deal
Federico Chiesa is ready to sprint again—this time toward Turin. The Italian winger has made his intentions clear: if it were up to him alone, he would already be back at Juventus. After a complicated and often frustrating spell in England, Chiesa sees a return to black and white as the fastest and safest way to relaunch his career, regain centrality, and restore confidence ahead of the next international cycle.
Juventus, for their part, are convinced. Internally, the club has identified Chiesa as the most reliable January solution to immediately raise the attacking level under Luciano Spalletti: instant adaptation, tactical flexibility, and a player who knows both Serie A and the Juventus environment inside out.
Juventus convinced, Chiesa decisive
Over the past ten days, contacts between Juventus and Liverpool have intensified. Chiesa has not forced the situation publicly, maintaining correct relations with the Reds, but behind the scenes his preference is crystal clear. He wants Juventus—and quickly.
The attraction is mutual. Spalletti values Chiesa’s versatility: right wing, left wing, second striker, even as a false nine in the new 4-2-3-1. For Juventus, signing a player already fully “plug-and-play” in January is a rare advantage.
Liverpool’s doubts: Salah and Isak complicate everything
At Anfield, however, the green light has not arrived yet. Liverpool’s hesitation is not tactical, but numerical. Mohamed Salah is currently away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, and his future remains a sensitive topic. Only after his return—potentially following the final on January 18—will Liverpool have full clarity on their attacking hierarchy.
Complicating matters further is the injury to Alexander Isak, which has reduced depth in attack. New coach Arne Slot does not consider Chiesa a cornerstone of his project—his minutes this season (469 across all competitions) confirm that—but losing him now, while Salah is absent and Isak sidelined, is a risk Liverpool are still weighing carefully.
Loan vs permanent: the real negotiation
Juventus are pushing for a loan-based solution, ideally with an option or conditional obligation to buy. Liverpool, at least for now, prefer a permanent transfer or strong guarantees on a future sale. The distance is real, but so is the willingness to find a compromise.
Chiesa’s approval is already secured. Juventus believe that once Liverpool resolve the Salah variable, the deal can accelerate rapidly.
A race against time
This is a negotiation driven by urgency. Chiesa wants clarity, Juventus want immediate impact, and Liverpool want protection. The feeling is that everything hinges on the next ten days—on AFCON results, injury updates, and Liverpool’s internal reassessment.
The return of Chiesa to Juventus is no longer a romantic idea. It is a concrete scenario, waiting for the final piece to fall into place.
