Liverpool have made it clear that they are looking to bolster their midfield this summer with the club making an early summer transfer push for Ligue 1 starlet Aurelien Tchouameni.
However, the Reds look set to miss out on the France international with the 22-year-old seemingly preferring a switch to the Santiago Bernabéu to join Carlo Ancelotti’s Uefa Champions League winning Real Madrid.
Now, Jurgen Klopp and club owners FSG have turned their attention to a previous target, Serie A, Italian Euro Championship hero and Inter Milan ace Nicolo Barella.
According to The Express, Liverpool first showed interest in bringing Barella to Anfield back in 2017; since then the Italian has become a star for Inter Milan, proving he is more than capable of mixing it with Europe’s elite.
Jurgen Klopp could turn to Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella as an alternative to Aurelien Tchouameni as he looks to bolster Liverpool's midfield options this summer. [@DExpress_Sport] pic.twitter.com/QLGZqKR6jb
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) June 2, 2022
His price tag may prove to be something of a stumbling block, however, with Transfermarkt rating the midfielder’s value at £63 million; a price which may put off Liverpool’s frugal owners.
The midfielder has featured 48 times for Inter this campaign, scoring four and assisting 13 times; but it’s his work rate and never say die attitude that is his most appealing trait when considering him in Jurgen Klopp’s setup.
With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain almost certain to leave Anfield this summer, Barella would provide Liverpool with not only an upgrade in class but a reliable player who can be utilised throughout the draining Premier League campaign.
There’s no doubt Barella is a top talent, and he would definitely be a solid purchase for Liverpool this summer, however, time will tell whether or not Inter will want to sell one of their prized assets.