Federico Chiesa's position may change as record transfer talks complicate Liverpool plans

Federico Chiesa could be in line for a major positional change if Liverpool fail to land a striker this summer. The 27-year-old Italian, primarily a winger, is being considered as an emergency central option by Arne Slot ahead of the new season.

Liverpool have already spent over £200million in this transfer window, bringing in high-profile signings such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, their business may not be finished, with a new centre forward now their top priority.

Hugo Ekitike is high on the club's wish list, but Newcastle are currently leading the race for his signature after opening talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a club-record £65m deal for the French striker. Despite speculation, the Magpies' pursuit of Ekitike is not believed to be linked to any plans to sell Alexander Isak – Liverpool's ideal choice to spearhead their attack.

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With Darwin Nunez expected to leave the club after making just eight Premier League starts last season, Liverpool could be forced to improvise, particularly if they can't strike a deal with the Toon to take Isak to Anfield.

Benjamin Sesko and Jean-Philippe Mateta have been linked, but there's a growing possibility the Reds will enter the season without a new centre-forward among their number. As has been the case on Merseyside under FSG's stewardship, the club will not buy a centre forward simply for the sake of it this summer. Instead, they are open to utilising Chiesa – or potentially even £116m signing Wirtz – as makeshift solutions up front.

Chiesa has experience playing as a false nine for both Juventus and the Italian national team, albeit with mixed success. His combination of technical skill, movement, and finishing ability makes him a credible short-term fix. He has shown he can score goals for Liverpool too, albeit he hasn't played anywhere near enough.

Wirtz is a natural No.10 and that's where Liverpool view the Germany star long term. But he has a sharp eye for goal - scoring 34 times over his final two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen - is tactically intelligent and there are suggestions that he could be moulded into being a centre-forward akin to Roberto Firmino.

It is not his preference, nor is it that of Kop boss Arne Slot - who made clear his tactical vision for Wirtz when securing his signature. So while he may be deployed further forward when necessary, the plan remains to use him deeper.

For now, Chiesa is seen as the more likely stop-gap. But after starting just four matches in all competitions last season, the former Fiorentina star is likely to be open to a positional change in search of more playing time.

As for Wirtz, his prodigious quality ensures he'll be a central figure in whatever shape Liverpool's evolving attack takes.

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