Federico Chiesa can take dream Liverpool shirt number amid Arne Slot transfer revolution

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Juventus attacker Federico Chiesa. The Reds are set to make the Italian their first summer signing under new head coach Arne Slot, with Giorgi Mamardashvili joining next summer after his move from Valencia was confirmed.

It has been a frustrating summer for supporters, and in one instance Liverpool after failing to lure Martin Zubimendi to Anfield, following a lack of business in the transfer window. The move for Chiesa looks to be a shrewd piece of business from the new-look hierarchy in the red half of Merseyside.

The new era at Anfield under Slot has already got off to a successful start with wins in their first two Premier League matches. Mohamed Salah has two goals in as many games while Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz have been on target in the wins over Ipswich Town and Brentford.

The Dutchman has an embarrassment of riches in attacking areas with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez to add to the firepower. Chiesa, a player who Liverpool have monitored for a number of years, has been frozen out and deemed surplus to requirements by new Juventus head coach Thiago Motta as he enters the final 12 months of his deal in Turin.

Chiesa is on route to Merseyside to undergo a medical and finalise terms of a deal, should all run smoothly with the checks, and was spotted arriving at a Turin airport ahead of his flight to England. "I’m very happy, I can’t wait to become new Liverpool player," said the Italian. "Me and my family, we’re so happy really."

This summer, exits for Fabio Carvalho, Sepp van den Berg and Bobby Clark who earned the Reds a combined £57million from their sales. With his £10million arrival thought to be imminent, it raises the likelihood for the clamour in the Liverpool club shop to get the first arrival of the new era printed on the back of the famous strip.

Unfortunately, the number seven that he wore for I Bianconeri is currently occupied by Colombian, Luis Diaz. The winger has had the shirt number since last season as he took over from James Milner with the iconic number.

The attacker has faced speculation over his future on Merseyside following reports of interest from Spanish side Barcelona but it is certain he will remain at Anfield this season.

Two squad numbers, which Chiesa can associate with, are also available. No player has occupied the 14 shirt since Jordan Henderson's controversial departure to Saudi Arabia.

The former Liverpool captain reunited with icon Steven Gerrard at Al Etiffaq in his highly-publicised switch to the Middle East. The number will undoubtedly have some meaning to the prospective Liverpool signing as he has worn the number 14 for Italy since 2020/21, the year he helped Roberto Mancini's side to European Championships success.

Calvin Ramsey's temporary move to Wigan Athletic has also freed up the number 22 shirt at Liverpool. The Scotland youngster has had stints away from Anfield as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury, he rejoined the Latics in the summer following a spell with them in the second half of last season.

Chiesa wore the shirt number for the first two years of his career in Turin before he was afforded the opportunity to wear the famous seven jersey at the Old Lady. Prior to his cross-Serie A move, he came through the ranks at Fiorentina where he featured for their reserves squad, wearing different numbers, but when he broke into the first-team, he held the 25 shirt which is also available for the arrival of Chiesa.

His father Enrico, as a forward, wore the number 15 during Sampdoria's European Cup Winners Cup triumph in 1989-90 but wore the squad number 20 in the Coppa Italia-winning seasons with AC Parma and Fiorentina. But should he look to continue the family-links, he will need to wait for Diogo Jota to vacate the shirt.

List of shirt numbers available (selected): 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30.