Liverpool transfer news: Federico Chiesa set for sacrifice as shock swap deal suggested

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Liverpool continue to be dragged into conversations surrounding the January transfer window. The reigning Premier League champions have not yet bought or sold any first-team players this month.

With Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley out of commission and Mohamed Salah remaining on Africa Cup of Nations duty , Arne Slot has lamented his lack of options in recent weeks. The winter window has often been a source of tremendous success for the Reds in the past.

The likes of Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz were all bought in January and went on to be overwhelming triumphs. While it's not yet known whether the club will trigger a big-money signing, reports have been plentiful about potential outgoings. Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer stories surrounding the Merseyside giants.

It's been a disappointing season by all accounts for the Reds, but particularly in the case of Ibrahima Konate. Like Slot said after the 3-3 draw at Elland Road in December, the Frenchman has been present " too much at the crime scene" when Liverpool concede.

With his contract expiring at the end of the season and no breakthrough yet to occur on a new deal, a sensational swap deal to send Konate to Aston Villa with Ezri Konsa joining Liverpool should be on the minds of both clubs, according to Stan Collymore.

The England defender is a mainstay of Unai Emery's side and has enjoyed a fine season with Villa currently sitting third in the Premier League standings. Speaking to BetWright football betting, Collymore said: " Liverpool must identify a replacement for Ibrahima Konate if he leaves, especially because I don’t think Virgil van Dijk will be far behind him.

"I know there’s been talk of Marc Guehi, but I’m looking at someone like Ezri Konsa – who’s probably going to start for England at the World Cup alongside John Stones . If I was head of recruitment at Liverpool, I think Konsa and Guehi would both be deals that provide good value for money.

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" Aston Villa have PSR issues that they need to address, so if they were to get a big fee for Konsa, they might have to consider it. For me, Konate thinks he’s the best defender since sliced bread but hasn’t played like it recently.

"I’m sure he’s thinking he’ll be going to the likes of PSG or Real Madrid , but could there be a swap deal where Konsa goes to Liverpool and Konate goes to Aston Villa? That would be something that would work for both parties."

Another player whose future at Anfield remains uncertain is Federico Chiesa. The Italian has made 21 appearances this season with only four of them starts. With just one Premier League start to his name, the lack of minutes he's accrued has led to renewed transfer reports linking him with a move back to Juventus .

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A move back to the Serie A is one Chiesa is reportedly interested and according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport , the forward would go as far as taking a pay cut in order to end his Liverpool career . It's claimed that the 29-year-old is on around £5.1million per year at Anfield, but would be prepared to slash his earnings for a Turin return.

Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti threw praise on Chiesa when asked about him recently, as he said: "He was in my team at the time (the Italian national team). It was a compliment I wanted to give him. Sinner is one of the strongest for consistency and perseverance. Chiesa, on the other hand, for his strikes: he’s a player of big numbers, who beats his man and creates chaos."

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