Napoli have reportedly opened negotiations with Liverpool and Federico Chiesa's agent in order to secure a six-month loan for the winger in the January transfer window.
Arne Slot's forwards will relish the opportunity to add to their tally on Sunday afternoon against Manchester United at Anfield, with the trio of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah all in fine form.
Diaz and Gakpo have scored 12 and 11 goals in all competitions respectively, while Salah has astonishingly scored 17 goals and produced 13 assists in just 18 league appearances this campaign.
Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez have also contributed positively to the Reds' title charge, though the former has been beset by injury issues and the latter has at times struggled for consistency.
However, Chiesa has only played 19 minutes in the league this term and with rumours that he is homesick, Foot Mercato report that Napoli have been in contact with the player and club about a potential loan move to Italy.
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Would Napoli make sense for Chiesa and Liverpool?
Slot claimed that Chiesa arrived at Anfield physically unprepared for life in the Premier League after being frozen out by his previous club Juventus in the summer.
The Liverpool manager has insisted that the 27-year-old's minutes must be managed carefully in order to get him in a position to be able to contribute, but it is concerning that the winger has only made four appearances for the club in all competitions.
Napoli boss Antonio Conte has guided his team to first place in Serie A, though his side have been outscored by four of the league's top six, and their tally of 30 goals is the same as fifth-placed Juventus.
If Conte is willing to take the risk and add Chiesa to Napoli's attack despite playing so few minutes this season, then Liverpool could benefit next term when the forward is fully fit and up to speed.
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Does Chiesa have a long-term future at Liverpool?
Chiesa is comfortable operating across the frontline, and many thought that he would be a backup to Salah, especially as the Egyptian has never truly had a capable understudy behind him.
Liverpool will hope to be able to sign Salah to a new contract at Anfield despite his insistence that this is set to be his last season on Merseyside, and given the attacker is now 32, ensuring he does not have to play every game would be sensible.
However, Chiesa is unlikely to play much on the right side of attack considering Salah would be a mainstay in the XI, while Gakpo and Diaz have often rotated on the left.
The Italian could get playing time through the middle of Liverpool's forward line, but he has so far not shown in his career that he is capable of playing as a striker for a prolonged period.
Liverpool cannot afford to let Chiesa find fitness and discover his best form in the Premier League this term given they look like clear favourites to win the title, so perhaps a loan move to Italy would be best for all parties.
Lewis Nolan
