Liverpool star ‘informs club of desire to leave in January’ as surprising transfer move approaches.

Liverpool are enjoying a strong season under head coach Arne Slot, leading both the Premier League and Champions League. Slot’s team holds a six-point advantage over Arsenal in the league, with a game in hand, but faces a crucial clash against Manchester United on Sunday. Arsenal, who play Brighton on Saturday, could narrow the gap to three points before Liverpool’s match.

Slot has made a remarkable start in his debut season at Anfield, but he’s not without challenges. Key players Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain in contract negotiations, with their current deals set to expire at the end of the season. Adding to the uncertainty, summer signing Federico Chiesa, who joined from Juventus for £10m, has struggled to adapt. The Italian international has played only 123 minutes this season due to fitness issues.

Reports suggest Chiesa is pushing for a January move back to Italy, citing homesickness, dissatisfaction with England’s weather, and difficulty adjusting to the Premier League’s physical demands. Sources such as Foot Mercato and TBR Football claim Chiesa and his representatives have informed Liverpool of his desire to leave, and the club is reportedly open to a move.

Several Italian clubs, including Atalanta, Napoli, Inter, AC Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, and Juventus, have shown interest. However, any transfer would likely be a loan due to concerns over his €7.5m (£6m) annual salary. Slot has urged patience with Chiesa, emphasizing that recovery from long-term injuries and adjusting to English football’s intensity takes

time.