The writing has been on the wall for Federico Chiesa at Liverpool for months. Now, with three Serie A clubs actively monitoring his situation and Andoni Iraola’s first season under scrutiny, the Italian winger’s future at Anfield appears to be in terminal decline. Sources confirm that Chiesa’s departure in January is a near-certainty, with clubs in Italy already preparing offers that could see him leave the Premier League for good.
Iraola’s appointment in the summer was meant to bring a new tactical identity to Liverpool, but his approach has left Chiesa’s role in question. The Basque coach has been instructed to focus on evaluating just two or three potential replacements, signaling that the club’s patience with Chiesa—once a bright prospect—has worn thin. His struggles to replicate the form that made him a key player under Jürgen Klopp have only accelerated the sense of urgency. The summer transfer window was supposed to address Liverpool’s need for pace and dynamism, but the arrival of Barcola and Muñoz has done little to alter Chiesa’s standing. His first-team opportunities have dwindled, and his place in the squad is now a matter of when, not if, he departs.
The recent Carabao Cup draw against Tottenham—scheduled for September 15—will be another test for Iraola’s squad, but Chiesa’s absence from the starting XI in recent Premier League games has been telling. His lack of impact against Fulham, where Liverpool’s attacking firepower failed to materialize despite the presence of new signings, underscores the club’s growing frustration. The 0-0 draw was a missed opportunity, but it also highlighted a deeper issue: Liverpool’s frontline lacks the cohesion and creativity that once defined them. Chiesa’s departure would not just be a personal blow to the winger but a tactical shift for a club still searching for its identity under Iraola.
The Serie A interest is no surprise. Chiesa’s technical ability and physical attributes make him a desirable target for Italian clubs, particularly those looking to bolster their attacking options. His time at Liverpool has been defined by inconsistency, but his potential remains undeniable. The question now is whether any of the clubs circling him can offer the contract and playing time he deserves—or if he will be forced into another loan spell, further delaying his return to the top flight. For Liverpool, the decision will be a painful one, but the writing has been clear for some time: Chiesa’s future lies elsewhere.
This summer’s transfer window was supposed to be about reinvention, but for Chiesa, it has been the final chapter. His role under Iraola has been reduced to that of a backup, and the club’s reluctance to invest in his future speaks volumes about the direction of the project. With January looming, the winger’s departure is no longer a question of if, but of where. Three Serie A clubs are ready to pounce, and Liverpool’s hands are tied. The only certainty now is that Federico Chiesa’s time at Anfield is over.
