Federico Chiesa is attracting interest from several clubs in Europe ahead of the January transfer window, including Super Lig leaders Galatasaray.
The 27-year-old, who only joined Liverpool from Juventus in the summer for £10 million plus add-ons, has been limited to a handful of first-team appearances in his debut campaign under Arne Slot.
In fact, the Italy international has played just 78 minutes of football across three appearances as he continues to build fitness following injury problems.
Slot recently admitted that Chiesa has lacked the necessary intensity to play week in, week out.
“It is difficult for a player who missed out on pre-season and playing pre-season games and training sessions. You have to give a player more time to get to the intensity levels,” he said.
“It is a difficult balance to get him where we want but we are trying and he is trying everything he can to get to these levels.”
Slot added: “Once he is at that physical level we will benefit from having him. At this moment we expect him back during the international break and then he should be with us after the international break normally.”
With first-team minutes hard to come by, Chiesa is predictably being linked with a move away from Anfield.
AC Milan have made contact with Liverpool over a move to bring Chiesa back to Serie A, according to Team Talk, while another Italian team, Como 1907, are considering a January loan move for the winger.
The latest club to express an interest are Super Lig leaders Galatasaray, who have ‘decided to make a move for Chiesa’ after following him closely for some time, say Fotomac.
Chielsa’s situation at Liverpool has been a big talking points on social media and beyond. Earlier this week, former Real Madrid and Roma striker Antonio Cassano questioned Arne Slot’s approach.
Speaking on Viva el Futbol, he began: “You need to tell me what the f*** is happening with Chiesa.
“A player who in 2021 was one of the best if not the best along with (Gianluigi) Donnarumma in the Italy team that won, and I thought, now he goes there, different league, he’ll be fine and can play wing, can play wherever he wants and likes, but he can’t even play 10 minutes in the league.”
Cassano added: “He’s physically unwell, hasn’t settled in, isn’t up to standard? We need to know something about this for our national team because in my opinion he’s the most talented player we have.”