Chiesa Nears Anfield Exit as Serie A Clubs Circle for January Loan

Liverpool appear increasingly willing to sanction a January loan departure for Federico Chiesa, with the 28-year-old Italy international tipped for a return to Serie A.

Italian Interest Gathers Pace

Reports from Italy suggest Chiesa’s homecoming is gathering real momentum, with AS Roma, Atalanta, Bologna and Inter Milan all said to be monitoring his situation ahead of the winter window. The winger has struggled for rhythm since his £10 million move from Juventus in August 2024, and with Liverpool reportedly open to letting him leave on loan, a temporary switch back to Italian football looks increasingly plausible.

A Difficult Spell on Merseyside

Chiesa’s time at Anfield has been defined by fleeting appearances rather than consistent involvement. Despite showing genuine quality in patches — not least his decisive strike against Bournemouth on the opening weekend of last season — regular starts have proved elusive under Arne Slot. He finished the 2025/26 campaign with just three goals and three assists from 36 outings, managing only 726 minutes overall, and has yet to feature this term due to a back problem.

Who Wants Him, and Why

Inter Milan’s long-standing admiration for Chiesa stems from their need for greater cutting edge in the final third, particularly after a stuttering start to their Champions League campaign. Atalanta, meanwhile, lack a genuine right-sided outlet under Maurizio Sarri, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Jonathan Rowe both naturally left-footed wingers.

My Take

A loan feels like the sensible outcome for everyone involved. Chiesa needs sustained minutes to force his way back into Italy’s World Cup plans, something Liverpool simply cannot guarantee him given their attacking depth. Roma or Inter would offer him a proper platform, and Liverpool would retain the option of a permanent reunion in the summer should he rediscover his best form in familiar surroundings.