Blow for Liverpool as Fiorentina make big decision on major €70m playmaker

Fiorentina have released a statement to categorically rule out the sale of reported Liverpool target Federico Chiesa.

The Italian winger is one of the biggest prospects in Serie A, and after Fiorentina finished a disappointing 16th in the league, many expected him to move on to bigger things – with Juventus, Inter Milan and Liverpool all linked.

Liverpool are prepared to spend to add to their Champions League winning squad, with Chiesa’s profile matching that of a versatile attacker that Jurgen Klopp wants.

However, La Viola have confirmed that Chiesa will be staying in Florence in a club statement via their website, insisting that he is a cornerstone of their project.

“We read continuous news spread by others about the future of Chiesa and where he will play next season,” it read.

“The current owner is keen to point out that Federico is a Fiorentina player tied to the club by a long contract and therefore, as far as we are concerned, Chiesa will play in Florence next year and must be the symbol for the team that will be built.”

The 21-year-old winger – who has scored 22 goals in 113 appearances for them over three years – is under contract until 2022, with Fiorentina seemingly keen for him to honour that deal.

The news will come as a blow to Antonio Conte, who was keen to make Chiesa one of his first signings after taking over at Inter Milan – his first job in management since leaving Chelsea last summer.