Como’s Champions League gamble: chasing Liberali and Chalobah

Como 1907, fresh from a fourth‑place Serie A finish and a Coppa Italia semi‑final, are looking to plug a creative midfield gap and bolster their defence ahead of a Champions League push, targeting midfielder Mattia Liberali and defender Trevoh Chalobah.

Director of sport Carlalberto Ludi said the club is at an advanced stage in negotiations for the 22‑year‑old midfielder, whom he described as an Italian talent with the ideal characteristics for Cesc Fabregas’s system. “We are at a pretty advanced stage for Liberali. We want to sign him, he is an Italian talent, and we got him because we think he has the ideal characteristics to fit Cesc’s style of football,” Ludi told Sky Sport Italia.

Liberali, currently a Catanzaro midfielder who featured in a pre‑season friendly for AC Milan, is the subject of a €6 million deal that Como hopes to seal. Despite higher wage offers from Milan, the player prefers the opportunity to work under Fabregas at Como.

In defence, Como are locked in a bidding war with Inter for Chelsea centre‑back Trevoh Chalobah, after two initial proposals were turned down. Ludi added, “Chalobah is a very strong player,” as the club prepares to raise its offer to €30 million plus €5 million in add‑ons next week. The English defender’s arrival would add experience to a backline that must adapt to the rigours of European competition.

Como also secured Nico Paz outright from Real Madrid for €60 million, with the Spanish side retaining a buy‑back option of €80 million for next summer. Ludi praised the commitment, stating, “It is not to be taken for granted that a coach like Fabregas and a player like Nico Paz want to stay at Como, so that makes us very proud.”

With the transfer window closing soon, finalising Liberali’s €6 million move and Chalobah’s revised €35 million package will be crucial for Como’s Champions League preparation. The club acknowledges that while the squad is not yet ready for Europe, rolling up its sleeves and securing the signings will determine whether they can compete at the highest level.