Liverpool’s Shrewd Business: How the Solanke Deal Helped Fund Chiesa’s Arrival
Liverpool are getting closer to signing Juventus forward Federico Chiesa, and it’s not hard to see why Reds fans are excited. The Italian striker is set to become the club’s first signing of the season, and what’s even more impressive is how they managed to secure his services at an affordable price.
As reported, the £10.9m initial transfer fee is a steal considering Chiesa’s quality. But what many fans might not know is that this deal was made possible thanks to Liverpool’s shrewd business in the transfer market. Specifically, the sale of Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur.
In 2019, Liverpool sold Solanke to Bournemouth for a reported £19m. However, the club included a 20% sell-on clause, which means they would receive a percentage of any profit made on Solanke’s sale. Fast-forward to 2022, and Tottenham acquired Solanke for a whopping £65m, netting Liverpool a tidy £8m from the deal.
Fans have been quick to notice the connection between the Solanke deal and Chiesa’s arrival, and we can’t blame them. One Red said, "And who were the two people who agreed on that sell-on clause back in the day? Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes. They were playing 4D chess all the way back then." Another fan added, "£3.3m spent."
New sporting director Richard Hughes has reiterated the club’s opportunistic approach in the transfer market, and this deal is the perfect example. By being smart and prepared, Liverpool have managed to secure Chiesa’s services without breaking the bank.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has also expressed his trust in the squad, saying, "I trust the team… I’ve said many times before I inherited a real good team, a team of many young players as well and I think we all know, especially young players they can develop on the ages they are at the moment."
As the Reds look to the future, it’s clear that Chiesa’s arrival is a shrewd piece of business. With his quality and price tag, he’s a signing that could pay dividends for years to come.
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