Liverpool have confirmed 12 player exits this summer, with two more potentially joining the likes of Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate in departing.
The Reds have already said goodbye to club legend Andy Robertson, who joined Tottenham on a free transfer before making his World Cup debut with Scotland. Salah revealed his Anfield exit earlier this year, confirming he would end his contract a year early for a fresh challenge. Meanwhile, Konate has been strongly linked with a free move to Real Madrid after being unable to reach an agreement on fresh terms with the Reds.
Other confirmed departures include academy talents such as Kareem Ahmed, Emmanuel Airoboma, James Balagizi, DJ Bernard, Oakley Cannonier, Josh Davidson, Terence Miles and Jacob Poytress. In their official announcement, Liverpool expressed gratitude to every player for their contribution and “wish each of them the best for the future.”
Two more could follow
The above list may not be the only ones departing Anfield this summer. Andoni Iraola has taken charge of Liverpool following Arne Slot’s dismissal, and he could offload two more players as he seeks to impose his vision on the team.
Curtis Jones is one player rumoured to be considering a departure from his boyhood club. Liverpool have already received an approach from Inter Milan for the midfielder, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, but the proposal fell short of the valuation. Reports suggest that the Serie A outfit are extremely interested in Jones and intend to offload Davide Frattesi to Nottingham Forest in order to finance their move for the 25 year old. It is believed that Liverpool value Jones at approximately £35m but would consider £25m for his services.
Chiesa’s future
Federico Chiesa is the other Liverpool player who could be departing. The Italy international has already insisted he will leave the Reds if new manager Iraola does not guarantee regular first team football.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Chiesa said: “I repeat: I want to play. If I don’t find consistency in the Premier League, I’ll have to look elsewhere. I barely played in my first year at Liverpool, and in the last one, very little. I’ll go on a training camp in the US, then I’ll talk to the club and the new manager, Iraola, and we’ll see.
“I’m open to anything; the important thing is to play. I’m not so presumptuous as to say: I have to be a starter. I’m ready to fight for a place, anywhere.”
A return to Italy?
There is certainly interest from the winger in staying at Anfield, but speculation regarding a return to his home country persists. Reports in January indicated that Juventus had approached the Reds to bring Chiesa back, but these never materialised.
Weighing up a potential return to Serie A, the 28 year old recently admitted: “I’d love to return to Juventus. It’s also been said that I demanded a lot of money, but the truth is different: I was never offered a renewal. We never even discussed it. [Cristiano] Giuntoli and Thiago Motta told me, ‘Fede, we don’t need you: find a team.’
“I was lucky; I started again with one of the top five in the world, Liverpool. But Juventus is always in my heart and I’d like to return. I’ve never discussed money with Juve and I never will.”
Jones asks about Italy
Chiesa also touched on the prospect of Jones following him to Italy, revealing that the 25 year old had quizzed him about life in Serie A.
“Jones just asked me what life is like in Italy. I told him it’s great and the weather is better than Liverpool, which aside from that is a special place. Jones is really strong technically, Inter are right to think about him.”
The bottom line
Twelve players out. Two more could follow. A new manager is in charge.
Liverpool’s summer rebuild is in full swing. Salah, Robertson and Konate are gone. Jones and Chiesa could be next.
Iraola has a vision. He will shape the squad in his image. That means departures. It means arrivals. It means change.
Chiesa wants to play. Jones is considering Italy. The transfer window is open. And Liverpool’s transformation is just beginning.
