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Liverpool and Roma are in talks over a possible deal for Federico Chiesa to join the Serie A giant on loan, according to reports in Italy.
Chiesa has frequently been linked with a return to Italy ever since he moved to England, and his omission from Liverpool's squad for the pre-season tour of Asia has heightened speculation surrounding his future.
The 27-year-old barely figured for Liverpool last season, with the Italian being made to wait until after the title had been wrapped up to make his first Premier League start for the club.
Chiesa was the most notable absentee from the 29-man Liverpool squad that jetted off to Asia on Sunday, but the suggestion from the club is that he did not travel due to a slight fitness issue.
Despite that explanation, Chiesa's absence from the squad has obviously prompted more questions surrounding his long-term future at Anfield.
Just hours prior to Liverpool's flight to Hong Kong, the Italy international scored in the Reds' 5-0 behind-closed-doors victory over Stoke City at the AXA Training Center.
Meanwhile, Liverpool youngster James McConnell is set to leave the club on a season-long loan — but he is expected to sign a long-term contract with the Reds before doing so.
There is interest in McConnell from Championship clubs Ipswich, West Brom and Derby, while the Daily Mail says a loan move to the Bundesliga is also on the cards.
McConnell was also absent from the group that flew to Hong Kong, but that is because he is currently nursing a minor injury.
Another academy youngster, Owen Beck, is believed to be closing in on a move to Derby County, having been the subject of interest from Wrexham earlier on in the transfer window.
As well as McConnell and Beck, Liverpool has decisions to make on several other youngsters. There could be money to be made with the sales of players like Ben Doak and Tyler Morton, with both players probably now at the stage of their careers when they should be looking to move on permanently.
There are also calls to be made on Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha. Ngumoha is still just 16 so his development is likely to continue in the Reds' academy, but Liverpool might consider whether to send Nyoni, 18, out on loan.
Decisions could also be taken on Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic, both of whom were not included in Slot's squad for the tour of Asia.
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