Excitement is ramping up in Naples over the rekindling of the winning combination of Romelu Lukaku and Antonio Conte as Italy winger Federico Chiesa expressed his happiness at starting a “new adventure” as he closed in on a move to Liverpool from Juventus.
There was footage in the Italian media of Chiesa arriving at an airport ahead of reportedly getting on a private flight to England, where he was set to undergo a medical examination.
“I’m really happy and ready for this new adventure,” he said. “I want to thank the Juventus fans, thanks for all the affection over the years, I’ll keep you in my heart, thanks Juventus.
“I’m really, really happy, we can’t wait, me and my family.”
Neither Liverpool nor Juventus have commented publicly on any deal involving Chiesa.
British media are reporting Liverpool has reached an agreement with Juventus to sign Chiesa for an initial 10 million pounds ($13.2 million), with 2.5 million pounds ($3.3 million) in add-ons based primarily on team performance. He has a year left on his contract at Juventus.
Chiesa, the son of former Italy striker Enrico Chiesa, would be the first outfield player signed by Liverpool since the arrival of new manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool signed Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia on Tuesday in a deal that will see him stay at the Spanish team for the remainder of the season.
Chiesa, who joined Juventus from Fiorentina in October 2020 for 50 million euros (then $60 million), starred for Italy in its run to the European Championship title the following year.
He damaged his ACL in January 2022 and was out of action for 10 months.
Lukaku and Conte Reunite
Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku landed in the Italian city on Wednesday to finalise his transfer to Napoli, and more than 100 fans greeted the Belgian international when he arrived at the club’s clinic to complete his medical.
They chanted his name and he smiled as he was escorted through the crowd. A fan fell to the ground and Lukaku stopped to help him up — much to the supporter’s delight.
Italian media reports that Lukaku will sign a three-year contract at Napoli, with the Serie A club paying Chelsea 30 million euros ($33 million) plus 30% of any future transfer fee.
Lukaku had his two most productive seasons under Conte at Inter.
The 31-year-old Lukaku has been training away from the main Chelsea squad in recent weeks as the club sought to find a buyer for a striker who cost $135 million in 2021 — the seventh most expensive soccer player at the time — but has been a flop in his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
He spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Inter Milan and last season on loan at Roma.
Chelsea bought Lukaku from Inter, shortly after the forward helped fire the Nerazzurri to the Serie A title, finishing as the team’s top scorer with 24 league goals.
Inter was then managed by Conte, who left at the same time as Lukaku. Conte returned to Italy two months ago and was tasked with overturning last year’s debacle at Napoli, which saw three different coaches in charge.
Napoli lost its first league match under Conte 3-0 but went on to win its second by the same scoreline last weekend — for its first Serie A victory since the beginning of April.
Napoli missed out on Europe last season with a 10th-place finish, coming a year after the southern squad won its first Serie A title since the days when Diego Maradona played for the club.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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