Federico Chiesa lit up Euro 2020.

The Italian winger started the tournament on the bench of Azzurri, Roberto Mancini preferring to launch Domenico Berardi of Sassuolo on the right side of his formation 4-3-3.

Chiesa started in the 1-0 win over Wales in the third match of the group stage, but came back on the bench in the round of 16 against Austria. However, his superb head-to-right-to-left-foot strike that broke the stalemate in overtime at Wembley proved to be decisive in Mancini’s mind, as Chiesa earned his place over Berardi for the victories against La Belgium and Spain as Italy reached their third European Championship final of this century.

Chiesa’s goal against Austria emulated his father Enrico, scoring in the same competition in the same country, 25 years apart, and thus became the first father-son duo to score at the Euro. Chiesa Junior added her second of the tournament in the epic semi-final against Spain, with a delicious curling effort just inside the box.

The Juventus striker is quickly building a reputation as a man for special occasions. He scored three of Juve’s four goals when they left the Champions League in Porto last season in the round of 16 on away goals; he also scored the winner of the Coppa Italia final, as the Bianconeri came out with a narrow 2-1 victory over Atalanta.

His explosive pace, quick feet and ability to seemingly avoid fatigue have seen him emerge as one of the most improved players in European game over the past six months. Chiesa was arguably Juve’s best player in the second half of last season, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s authority within the squad dwindled.

Reports in Italy suggest Liverpool are keen to bring the 23-year-old to England permanently, with Calciomercato saying Juventus will accept fees of around £ 76million to allow Chiesa to leave Turin.

While this bond naturally excites Liverpool fans, it is a transfer that is very unlikely to happen.

Juventus, like most of Europe’s elites, are suffering from monetary problems in light of the pandemic. The club are seeking an injection of € 400million to cover the estimated damage caused by the lack of fans over the past 18 months.

The club are in a financial position which suggests that most of their current squad are available at the right price, including star striker Ronaldo. However, Chiesa is not one of them.

Max Allegri’s return sees Chiesa as a defining figure in rebuilding Juve after last season’s disappointing campaign that saw them lose their nine-year hegemony over the Serie A title, rallying to the Champions League for next season as Napoli clinched victory at Hellas Verona with fate in their hands.

While Chiesa scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists in a very disjointed Juve side last season, his performances at Euro 2020 have only strengthened his case for Allegri to build the squad around the winger. Chiesa has now become an “untouchable” player for the club, which will not be sold under any circumstances.

From the Reds’ point of view, Chiesa undoubtedly fits the FSG profile: he is young, still has areas where he can develop and would offer tough competition to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané in Jurgen Klopp’s system. However, like Juventus themselves, Liverpool are unable to offer the kind of money the Italian giants would demand for Chiesa, not without selling several fringe players first.

A move by Chiesa would likely force the club to break their transfer record to bring him to Anfield, and, in a time of austerity – not to mention the Reds need to prioritize signing a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum – ties to Chiesa are just fantastic football. Not even Cristiano Ronaldo’s status nor Juve’s € 400million black hole can change that.