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Liverpool are reportedly in a massive transfer battle to sign Fiorentina wonderkid Federico Chiesa.
What’s the story?
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the Reds have identified Chiesa as a target this summer, but face competition from Juventus, Roma and AC Milan.
The 21 year-old had a stunning breakout campaign in Serie A last term, earning himself his first 11 Italy caps.
A report from Corriere dello Sport expects the youngster to cost upwards of €70m (£62.15m).
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Perfect for Salah?
Capable of playing in midfield, as a number ten or further forward on the wing, Chiesa could improve the Reds in a number of ways.
His role could potentially be that of the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri and Naby Keita, tasked with adding an extra creative spark in games where the midfield workhorses just aren’t cutting it.
What is perhaps more appealing though, is the thought of deploying the young Italian in Mohamed Salah’s place on the right wing, shifting Roberto Firmino into the number ten position and the Egyptian superstar up front.
Salah performed impressively in a central role for large parts of last season, and would get tons of chances playing in front of the likes of Firmino and Chiesa, alongside Sadio Mane of course.
Chiesa averaged 3.6 shots, 1.5 key passes and 2.1 dribbles per game in Serie A last term, per Whoscored. To put that in perspective, Firmino averaged 2.2 shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.4 dribbles in the Premier League – inferior in all three categories.
The Fiorentina starlet is only 21, but his agility, balance, creativity and hunger to get himself on the scoresheet are all mightily impressive.
If Salah were to shift to a central role to make room for the Italian, we could well see the Reds no. 11 return back to his 2017/18 form thanks to the added creativity surrounding him.