Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa is being linked with a move away from Anfield just months after joining the Premier League club.
Chiesa, 26, signed for Liverpool from Juventus in August in a deal reportedly worth £10 million plus £2.5 million in add-ons.
That made him the club's only major summer signing in a relatively quiet window for the Reds.
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It was seen at the time as a low risk transfer for the Reds, given the small fee involved and Chiesa's wealth of experience from his time in Italian football.
But things haven't gone to plan for the Italy international since his arrival on Merseyside.
He has managed to make just three appearances due to persistent injury troubles, something which has proved problematic throughout his career, with last appearance came in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over West Ham last month.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday, head coach Arne Slot confirmed Chiesa was struggling with the step up in intensity since arriving in English football.
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"He missed a complete pre-season, I said this many times, and going to a league where the intensity might even be higher than the Italian league," said Slot before Liverpool's 1-0 win in Germany.
"We just faced the two Italian teams so I can say this now.
"So that makes it difficult for him to make the step towards the intensity levels the rest of the team is at at the moment.
"That has not so much to do with the Italian league or the Premier League, that has more to do with him missing a complete pre-season and that is so difficult for every player – when the games are constantly there – to build them up towards the levels we are at.
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"So, difficult to say, but it's a big disappointment for him that he is going in and out of the training sessions all the time. I feel sorry for him."
Now, fresh reports have linked Chiesa with a shock return to Italy just months after joining Liverpool.
Italian outlet Calciomercato [via FourFourTwo] claim Chiesa could make a loan move away from Anfield in January, with three Serie A sides said to be interested in the winger.
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Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma are reported to be suitors, who could take what the outlet call a 'calculated' gamble on the winger.
Chiesa has kept tight-lipped during his recent spell on the sidelines and it remains to be seen whether he would seek a return to Italy so soon after joining Liverpool.
Topics: Liverpool, Transfers, Premier League, Serie A, Injury, Federico Chiesa
Rory O'Callaghan