Napoli deal for Liverpool forward now "very advanced"

It looks like Liverpool will be offloading several squad members this summer. Not content with simply winning the Premier League title at the first time of asking, Arne Slot and Richard Hughes are now plotting upgrades across the pitch.

Established Liverpool names in the forward department are looking over their shoulders. Mohamed Salah is safely secured to a contract until 2027 while Cody Gakpo looks set to be retained.

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But the picture is far from rosy for others. Strikers Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez could be SOLD if the right bids materialise.

And on the wings there is a degree of uncertainty around Luis Diaz. Unless Hughes gets a new contract sorted out then the Colombia international could be on his way.

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And what about Federico Chiesa?

The Italy winger has been a disappointment since arriving from Juventus in last summer’s transfer window. The 27-year-old has played only five times in the Premier League - and made three starts overall.

Napoli close to Chiesa deal

Tottenham are surprise candidates to sign the winger - but a return to Serie A looks more likely. In January it was reported that AC Milan and Inter were curious about taking Chiesa home - while links with Atalanta and Roma are also well-established.

But now it seems as though Chiesa will be heading to Napoli - who look a good bet to win the Serie A title. According to a new report in Gazzetta dello Sport, talks between Antonio Conte’s side and Chiesa’s representatives have reached an “advanced stage”.

Previously described as a hindrance to any deal taking him back to Italy, it is now believed that Chiesa’s £120k per week salary will not be an issue for the Partenopei president Aurelio Di Laurentiis.

Although the two sides remain apart at the exact structure of a deal, it is looking likely that Chiesa will soon be leaving Merseyside for Serie A.

It's not worked out for Chiesa at Liverpool

“Aurelio De Laurentiis and his collaborators are also pushing on the accelerator with the Liverpool executives to define the details of Federico Chiesa's return to Italy,” a report reads.

“Napoli has already made its offer for a loan with the right to redeem, while Liverpool is insisting on an obligation.

"Because the player is enthusiastic about returning to Serie A with a starting place in the Champions League and with the concrete prospect of regaining a shirt in the national team after a year as an extra in Slot's squad.

“Even his contract of 4.5 million net is not a problem. In short, the deal is at a very advanced stage.”

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It’s a shame it’s not worked out for Chiesa, who no doubt had quality when he won Euro 2020 with the Azzurri. Liverpool fans have only had a glimpse of his talents this season and his spell at the club is set to end before it really got going.