Liverpool forward deal now depends on Xabi Alonso and Chelsea decision

Liverpool are chasing wingers. Of that there is little doubt.

Deals are currently live for Bradley Barcola and Yankuba Minteh - while there is an outside chance of Ibrahim Mbaye also arriving.

Richard Hughes is at a critical juncture in the Barcola deal with negotiations now delicately poised with Paris Saint-Germain.

The French champions are seeking a record deal for the 23-year-old - who prefers to play on the left but who can also feature from the right. Minteh, 22, is a naturally right-sided option with the left-footer currently out injured.

Nonetheless the 2024/25 Premier League champions want a deal for the £70m-rated Gambian - who has already agreed terms with the Reds per reports.

As for Mbaye Liverpool are reportedly put off by PSG’s valuation but the player is thought to be keen on Anfield.

All of this movement is bound to have an effect on players already on the books. Cody Gakpo could move - either to Manchester City or Tottenham - in order to finance a push for Barcola.

And the prospects of Federico Chiesa remaining on Merseyside long term no longer seem promising. The 28-year-old was left out of the squad to face Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday and looks set for a move back to Serie A.

The Italian according to AS Roma Live is wanted by Atalanta, Inter and Roma with details of Inter’s movement around Chiesa published elsewhere last week.

Roma however only have got Chiesa on the list as a backup option - in case they fail to attract Malick Fofana from Lyon or Jamie Gittens from Chelsea.

“The Reds' search for two more wingers, however, has reopened the Federico Chiesa dossier,” the report reads.

“According to information in the possession of Asromalive.it, the Italian winger has recently been reported again to the attention of Atalanta, Inter, and Roma.

“Tony D'Amico has memorized the situation and might consider a loan move with a reduced salary only if the primary targets— Gittens and Fofana, whom we discussed in the past few hours— fail.”

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That means Chiesa’s Liverpool fate may now well rest on Chelsea and Xabi Alonso. Should the Blues decide to keep hold of Gittens - or should Roma fail to match their demands - then there is every chance of a move being made for Chiesa.

Liverpool would lose part of his salary obligations - with Roma seeking to pay only part of his £150k per week. And it remains to be seen whether a loan move further develops into a permanent deal in next summer’s market.