FSG ‘transfer stunt exposed’ as another Liverpool exit looms large at Anfield
Liverpool are set for a busy summer transfer window under the Fenway Sports Group, with several players poised to leave.
The amount of negativity around Anfield at the moment is such that it is easy to forget that Liverpool are 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Crashing out of the UEFA Champions League after losing to PSG on penalties and then succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle in the EFL Cup final dampened the mood on Merseyside.
While some hoped the international break would give Arne Slot and Co some breathing space, news that Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to join Real Madrid on a free transfer has seen fans go berserk.
FSG to take blame for Liverpool trouble
There are still question marks about Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s futures as they are also in the final months of their contract at Liverpool.
Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Jarell Quansah have all been linked with exits as well, meaning Richard Hughes will be a busy man this summer.
Another player who could be on his way out is Federico Chiesa.
Chiesa has emerged as a transfer target for Napoli and AC Milan ahead of the summer, according to Gianluca Vitale.
The Italian journalist reported via his X handle on Wednesday (26 March) that Chiesa will decide whether or not to leave the Reds in a month.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are prepared to let the attacker leave, but only on a permanent deal for £12.5million.
Chiesa’s salary demands, though, could make negotiations tricky for the aforementioned Serie A clubs, particularly for Napoli.
Milan would find it easier to sign the Italy international if they hire Fabio Paratici as their sporting director, as they are both managed by agent Fali Ramadani.
Chiesa transfer exposes FSG stunt
It is worth noting that Chiesa was the only addition Liverpool made to their squad last summer, with the agreement to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili not coming into effect until the 2025-26 season.
The Reds roped in the 27-year-old from Juventus for a deal worth up to £12.5m, choosing not to address any other areas of the pitch.
However, Chiesa has been restricted to just three starts across all competitions so far, as Slot does not appear to favour him.
| Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
| 11 | 387′ | 2 | 2 | 1 |
With the Italian now heavily linked with a return to his home country, it is increasingly evident that his transfer was a mere stunt from John Henry and FSG to avoid the notion that they did not make any signing in Slot’s first window as their manager.
In hindsight, there was no reason for the Anfield outfit to sign Chiesa, who does not fit their usual profile for signings.
FSG have used similar tactics to manage criticism from the fans in the past, as evident from the loan signing of Arthur in 2022.
However, the truth is that the owners are only making difficult for themselves by doing so.