Federico Chiesa to become Liverpool’s fifth-highest earner after transfer call

Federico Chiesa has barely played for Liverpool this season but is still one of the club’s highest earners – and he may be about to move higher up the Liverpool rich-list

If Trent Alexander-Arnold’s surprising switch to Real Madrid materialises, Federico Chiesa will become the fifth highest earner at Liverpool. Despite only clocking 387 minutes on the pitch since his transfer to Anfield this season, Chiesa, 27, is understood to be one of the top earners at the club.

The Italian Euro 2020 champion joined the Reds last summer, becoming Arne Slot’s first acquisition as manager. However, he has only managed a mere 25 minutes of Premier League action since his arrival.

Yet, his weekly and annual earnings are those of a player who would typically be a regular starter in the top-flight. If Alexander-Arnold does move to the Bernebeu, he will move rise higher up the Merseysiders’ rich-list. According to Spotrac, Chiesa’s salary is worth £150,000 per week, placing him as the sixth highest earner at Anfield.

Only Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker and Andrew Robertson pocket more than him on the red half of Merseyside. However, if Alexander-Arnold moves to the Spanish capital, Chiesa will break into the top five highest earners.

The Italian’s position on the salary ladder could climb even higher if Salah and Van Dijk also decide to follow Alexander-Arnold through the exit door when their contracts expire in the summer. Similarly to the Liverpool right-back, Van Dijk and Salah will also leave on a free transfer unless the Reds manage to tie them to new deals.

Salah has been forthright with his stance on the contract talks, stating to the media in November that he is “probably more out than in” at Anfield. This came shortly after netting twice for Liverpool in a 3-2 win away to Southampton.

While Alexander-Arnold’s departure is not yet set in stone, Sky Sports News claims Real Madrid is in discussions with the player’s agents. It’s said that Alexander-Arnold’s first choice would be to sign with Carlo Ancelotti’s side, despite Liverpool not yet being informed of any deal struck by the reigning Champions League victors.

The born and bred Liverpudlian has risen through the ranks at Liverpool, making his senior debut in a 2-1 triumph against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup back in 2016. Ever since, he’s been an integral part of the team’s success, claiming every possible trophy under managers Jurgen Klopp and Slot.

Alexander-Arnold is currently out of action due to an injury sustained during Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. His injury resulted in him sitting out of the League Cup final loss to Newcastle United.

It also prevented him from linking up with England for Thomas Tuchel’s inaugural England squad. This season, from his defensive position, Alexander-Arnold has tallied three goals and seven assists across 39 appearances.

Though his potential departure will be a blow to the club, Liverpool fans have been buoyed by the performances of Conor Bradley, who has stepped up impressively when needed. The Northern Irish player notably shone in the 2-0 home triumph against Real Madrid in the Champions League, where he played a key role in neutralising Kylian Mbappe’s threat.

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