What Cristiano Ronaldo thought of Liverpool target Federico Chiesa when they played together at Juventus

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Chiesa may have only shared the dressing room at Juventus for one season, but the Portuguese great holds the Liverpool target in high regard.

The pair enjoyed a productive spell in attack during the 2020-21 campaign for the Bianconeri as they won the Coppa Italia title under Massimiliano Allegri.

Ronaldo then left to re-join Manchester United and currently plies his trade for Al Nassr, while the Italian has endured a rather lukewarm spell in Turin since.

Chiesa is now wanted by Liverpool before the transfer deadline and his former teammate Merih Demiral’s account of the player – including a glowing endorsement from Ronaldo – has resurfaced ahead of a potential transfer.

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘crazy’ about Liverpool target Federico Chiesa

In an interview with ilbianconero.com earlier this summer, Demiral claimed Ronaldo was a huge fan of Chiesa as he lavished praise on his former teammate.

“Fede [Chiesa] is a top player,” Demiral said. “Getting back into form like in his first season at Juve, when Cristiano Ronaldo was also crazy about him. At the Olimpico, I’m banking on Chiesa.”

Demiral played alongside Chiesa and Ronaldo for a solitary season during the 2020-21 campaign but thinks highly of the Italian attacker, who could well swap Turin for Merseyside before the transfer deadline.

How Chiesa would fit in at Liverpool

Chiesa would be more of a luxury than a necessity for Liverpool as the Reds are adequately stacked in attack.

However, Juventus’ asking price of £15m for Chiesa makes him a risk worth taking for Arne Slot, with the 26-year-old capable of playing anywhere in attack.

Liverpool have always been attentive to market opportunities and Chiesa would represent just that, especially at this stage of the transfer window.

His injury record is a cause for concern but over the past two seasons, he has made 70 appearances in all competitions for Juventus, indicating that his fitness woes are past him.

Chiesa’s arrival could also allow Slot to manage Mohamed Salah’s minutes, with the Egyptian maestro their only right-wing option in the squad currently.

Liverpool are locked in talks to sign Chiesa but will have to thrash out terms quickly if they are to complete the signing before the transfer window slams shut.