Liverpool transfer news as Federico Chiesa move unlikely and loanee to return

The latest Liverpool transfer news and rumors as Juventus turn to alternatives to Federico Chiesa, while a Reds loanee could return to the squad in time for next season

Federico Chiesa has been linked with a return to Juventus(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

Juventus has reportedly turned its attention away from Federico Chiesa in its pursuit of a new attacker.

The Turin club has been linked with move to re-sign Chiesa just a year and a half on from its decision to sell him to Liverpool. But reports in Italy suggest Juve is now looking at other targets, including Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and Atalanta's Daniel Maldini.

Juve is said to be exploring the possibility of signing Mateta on a loan deal this month with an obligation to buy the striker in the summer for around €33 million ($38 million). As for Chiesa, it was reported last week that Liverpool was willing to let him leave this month but only on a permanent deal.

Chiesa has failed to make an impression since joining Liverpool, starting just two Premier League games since arriving, and his minutes are unlikely to increase in the coming weeks, with Mohamed Salah available once again following the conclusion of his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The landscape at Juve has changed since Chiesa reluctantly left in 2024, with Giorgio Chiellini having replaced Cristiano Giuntoli as Juve's sporting director, and Luciano Spalletti in charge of the team after a couple of disappointing managerial appointments.

Prior to leaving Juventus, Chiesa was frozen out by former manager Thiago Motta, giving the Italian little choice but to continue his career away from the Bianconeri.

Meanwhike, Kostas Tsimikas is expected to return to Anfield at the end of the season having endured a disappointing loan spell at Roma.

Kostas Tsimikas could be back at Liverpool next season(Image: 2026 BSR Agency)

The Greece international joined Roma on a season-long loan last summer, but he has struggled for minutes in the Italian capital, lining up in just four Serie A games.

There is no option for Roma to make the deal permanent at the end of the campaign, and, as things stand, he is due to return to Merseyside in the summer. Interestingly, The Times reports that Tsimikas could be restored to Liverpool's first-team squad next season should Andy Robertson depart the club.

Robertson's current contract expires in June, and it is not clear whether he will extend his stay at Anfield beyond the summer.

If Robertson does leave, Tsimikas could slot back in as Liverpool's back-up left-back behind Milos Kerkez during the 2026-27 season.

It is suggested that Tsimikas wouldn't be a long-term solution upon his possible return to Liverpool's squad, as his contract is up in 2027, but it would allow the club to focus on strengthening in other areas of the squad in this summer's transfer window.