Micah Richards backs £21m winger Liverpool want to sign to shine at Euro 2024

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Micah Richards has now been talking up a player often being linked with a move to Liverpool ahead of Euro 2024 starting on Friday.

Arne Slot’s first summer at Anfield isn’t expected to be a busy one, but Liverpool are still in the market for a few signings.

Joel Matip’s departure means there’s a hole to fill in defence, which should take priority given there’s still some uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk’s future beyond next season.

And although Mohamed Salah is now expected to stay, Liverpool are thought to be open to bringing in a wide player.

Judging by Slot’s success at Feyenoord, wingers are crucial to the manager’s style of play – burgeoning a lot of creative responsibility.

Luis Diaz is currently being linked with a move away from Anfield – a situation the club will want to resolve promptly.

But either way, Slot would benefit from the arrival of another winger, explaining Liverpool’s interest in Juventus’ Federico Chiesa.

Micah Richards says Liverpool target Federico Chiesa has ‘pace to burn’

Chiesa seems to have been a target established by Liverpool’s recruitment team before Slot’s arrival, meaning he would likely need to agree on a move.

But with Chiesa now gearing up to play a key role for Italy at Euro 2024, Micah Richards has backed the winger to thrive.

Speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Richards said Chiesa had ‘pace to burn’, and couldn’t wait to watch him.

Richards said: “I think their main man is Chiesa. When he is on it. He can play off either wing, as a 10 or full-back but he has pace to burn.

“I am looking forward to seeing Chiesa. He’s a really, really top player.”

Chiesa’s asking price has been slashed this summer

Fortunately for Liverpool, if they do decide to pursue a deal, Chiesa’s asking price this summer has reportedly now been slashed.

With only one-year left on his deal, Chiesa has made it clear that he won’t sign a new contract.

Therefore the winger could be available for as little as £21m – a relative bargain for interested clubs.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Liverpool waited to make their transfers fairly late this summer, when some of the situations mentioned have been resolved, and Slot has had time to assess his team.

But if Chiesa is picked up by another club before then, it could be one Liverpool regret.

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