Liverpool transfer plan confirmed as Federico Chiesa's agent issues definitive update | OneFootball

Reports had suggested that injury-plagued winger was already set for Anfield exit, with Napoli keen on a deal

Federico Chiesa looks set to continue at Liverpool despite strong links over a potential return to Serie A with Napoli.

With the official opening of the January transfer window last week, the Italian winger’s future at Anfield has already been the subject of much speculation a little over four months since he arrived from Juventus in a cut-price deal worth £12.5million and penned a four-year contract.

That is because Chiesa’s impact at Liverpool has been minimal to date due to ongoing injury problems that have severely limited his opportunities under Arne Slot.

The 27-year-old has made just four appearances for Liverpool across all competitions so far this season, starting just once and not featuring in the Premier League - where the dominant Reds sit top with a six-point cushion - since September.

Disappointing start: Federico Chiesa’s short Liverpool career so far has been hampered by fitness issues

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Chiesa made his first senior appearance for almost three months after coming off the bench at half-time of the 2-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win at struggling Southampton on December 18, but has not played since and been an unused substitute in three of the last five Premier League outings, including in Sunday’s thrilling 2-2 home draw with fierce rivals Manchester United. He was not in the squad for the other two.

Such a frustrating spell has led to rumours that Chiesa’s Liverpool career could be over before it’s really begun, with reports that the club agreed to allow him to leave on loan in January following a meeting with agent Fali Ramadani.

Napoli are rumoured to have made contact over a potential deal and it has been claimed they will submit a six-month loan offer for Chiesa this week.

However, Ramadani has now firmly dismissed such speculation and claimed that his client will remain at Liverpool beyond the end of the January window as he looks to prove himself worthy of regular opportunities under Slot.

“Napoli did not negotiate a contract with Chiesa from Liverpool in the winter period, and the club has no intention of dispensing with the player,” he told 365Scores.

“The player is continuing with Liverpool and is seeking the opportunity to participate in the coming period. This is what I can confirm now.”

Asked about Chiesa’s recent absence from the Liverpool squad for the 5-0 rout of West Ham last week, Slot said: “I’ve said it many times already. We are working on two things. We are working on his match fitness and whenever we can we try to bring him with the team.

"But he was on the bench during the week [against Leicester] and we thought it was better for him to have some extra training sessions instead of joining us. So it's the constant balance we have to find between getting him fitter and fitter and letting him join the team.”