A bullet dodged: Why Barcelona are celebrating missing out on Premier League forward this summer

Barcelona were one of the potential suitors for Federico Chiesa this past summer when the forward was an exit ramp at Juventus.

Barça were even quite close to signing the Italian international, but their economic woes allowed Liverpool to take the upper hand.

The Reds ended up signing Chiesa in a deal worth around €12 million, which seemed like an absolute steal at the time.

A bullet dodged for Barcelona

However, four months down the line, Barcelona fans are breathing a sigh of relief rather than regret.

Chiesa’s stint in the Premier League has been far from stellar. Plagued by injuries, the Italian has only managed to play 123 minutes across four matches, contributing just one assist.

His impact at Liverpool has been minimal, starting only one game and accumulating merely 1% of the total minutes in the league.

Chiesa’s persistent muscle injuries have seen him miss 15 games across all competitions this season, severely hampering his performance and integration into the Liverpool squad.

This injury-prone phase has not only diminished his on-field presence but has also significantly lowered his market value.

From a valuation of €30 million at the time of his transfer, Chiesa’s current worth has plummeted to €22 million.

In light of this, several Italian clubs, with Fiorentina at the forefront, are now eyeing a loan move for Chiesa, hoping to rejuvenate his career, reports Diario AS.

For Barcelona, the decision not to pursue Chiesa looks increasingly wise. The club’s financial constraints, which initially seemed like a disadvantage, might have saved them from an investment that, so far, has not paid off for Liverpool.