Soccer

Liverpool agree deal to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus

Jadon Sancho holds out hope for Chelsea offer as Juventus wait in wings

Federico Chiesa, moving from Juventus. Photograph: Valerio Pennicino/Getty
Jamie Jackson
Wed Aug 28 2024 - 20:44

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus for £10 million plus £2.5 million in add-ons, with the forward travelling to Merseyside for a medical.

The 26-year-old Italy international operates mainly as a winger or a second striker and if the deal is completed as expected he will be Arne Slot’s second signing as Liverpool manager, following Tuesday’s €30 million capture of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, subject to a work permit and international clearance being granted. The Georgia goalkeeper will formally move to Anfield from the Spanish club before the 2025-26 season.

“I’m ready to start this new adventure, I wanted to say goodbye to the Juventus fans,” Chiesa told waiting journalists as he prepared to board a flight from Turin to Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon. “Thank you for your affection and for these years, I will carry you in my heart and thanks to Juventus.

“Is it sad to leave Juve like this? It’s sad but I’m really happy for this new adventure. I’m really happy and my family and I can’t wait.”

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Chiesa’s impending arrival at Liverpool is something of a surprise given the impressive attacking options already at Slot’s disposal, namely Mohammed Salah, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo. Also because Liverpool’s priority this window appeared to be signing a defensive midfielder, with a move for Spain Euro 2024 winner Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad falling through earlier this month.

In targeting Chiesa, who was a star of Italy’s triumphant Euro 2020 campaign and has scored 32 goals in 131 appearances for Juventus, including 10 in 37 appearances last season, it appears Liverpool are seeking to make the type of “opportunistic” signing their new sporting director, Richard Hughes, claimed was a possibility when speaking to journalists at Slot’s unveiling as the club’s new head coach in early July. “We need to improve on the training pitch first and foremost, as Arne said. With the window open, we’ll always be opportunistic if we can,” said Hughes.

Chiesa’s father, Enrico, was a striker who also played for Italy in the mid-to-late 1990s, scoring seven goals in 17 international appearances.

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is holding out for an offer from Chelsea despite Juventus persisting with their efforts to sign the winger on loan from Manchester United.

Chelsea, who have been stepping up their attempts to sign Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, have been looking at an opportunistic move for Sancho. They have held talks with United over a swap deal involving Raheem Sterling, who has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge. United have shown little interest in Ben Chilwell despite being offered the Chelsea left-back.

While little progress has been made with moving Sterling, it is understood that Chelsea remain in the running to take Sancho in a separate deal. The 24-year-old, who is not in Erik ten Hag’s plans at United, is thought to have indicated a preference to join Enzo Maresca’s side over Juventus.

The situation is open and Juventus have not given up on signing Sancho on a temporary basis. But while Maresca is not short of wide players, he did not shut down links with the former Borussia Dortmund attacker before the second leg of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League playoff in Geneva on Thursday night.

In Irish transfer news, Republic of Ireland winger Chiedozie Ogbene has completed a move from Luton Town to Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old from Cork, who scored four times in 30 appearances for the Hatters in last season’s top flight, has signed a four-year contract.

Ogbene told Town TV: “I’m very excited and feel lucky to have this opportunity to play in the Premier League again.

“It’s an opportunity I had to grab with both hands and I can’t wait to be involved as soon as possible.”

Portsmouth have signed Irish striker Mark O’Mahony on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Brighton.

The 19-year-old scored for the Seagulls in their 4-0 Carabao Cup victory over Crawley on Tuesday evening. – Guardian