Liverpool monitoring 24-year-old Italian star but face Arsenal competition

Transfer News: Liverpool monitoring Nicolo Barella but could face Arsenal competition

According to transfer news from Anfield Central (h/t Daily Star), Liverpool are monitoring Inter Milan’s Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella but could face competition from Arsenal for his signing.

A product of the Cagliari youth academy, Barella signed for Inter Milan in 2019, initially on a loan deal before making the transfer permanent last year. An ever-present in the middle of the park, the 24-year-old played an integral role in the Nerazzurri’s

Serie A title triumph in the 2020/21 campaign.

Barella finished the season with a tally of three goals and thirteen assists from 46 games across all competitions. A regular for the Italy national team, the midfielder has 23 caps for the Azzurri in which he has five goals. (h/t Transfermarkt)

Barella’s exploits over the past year have now piqued the interest of Liverpool. The Reds will need reinforcements in the middle of the park as Georginio Wijnaldum is headed for an exit when his contract expires later this month.

In addition to that, Naby Keita has also been heavily linked

with a departure from Anfield this summer. With James Milner not getting any younger, it would be sensible on the club’s part to bring in another central midfielder.

And Barella would be a fine replacement for Wijnaldum given his exceptional work rate while his goal contributions would make him an upgrade on the Dutchman. However, Liverpool could face stern competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal for the midfielder’s signing.

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• Naby Keita lined up for Liverpool exit as summer transfer budget is revealed

Inter Milan are in a precarious position financially, which could force them into selling some of their key players. However, they are likely to demand a transfer fee of over £50m from Liverpool or any other club interested in Barella.

Having already kickstarted the summer with the signing of Ibrahima Konate, it now remains to be seen who the Merseyside giants decide to recruit next.