Liverpool blow as 24-year-old midfield target looks likely to sign contract extension

Liverpool target Nicolo Barella set to be offered Inter Milan contract extension

According to Gazetta.it (h/t Liverpool Echo

The Reds, who slumbered to a top-4 finish last season, also lost Gini Wijnaldum this summer, leaving one spot in the midfield vacant.

Barella featured heavily for Inter Milan last season as he scored 3 three goals and assisted 12 for Antonio Conte’s Serie A winning side. The midfielder followed that up with an incredible Euros, as he helped Italy lift the trophy for only the 2nd time in the nation’s history.\

However, Inter Milan now view the player as an essential member of the squad and a future captain. This would be disheartening for Jurgen Klopp, who would have loved a player with the versatility and abilities of Nicolo Barella. Given his age (24), he could have certainly developed into a better player under Klopp. 

What next for Liverpool?

Although the Reds already have Thiago Alcantara, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Curtis Jones in the midfield line, they still need some quality depth, especially after both Thiago and Jordan Henderson were out for long periods with injuries last season. 

Additionally, Liverpool also face the prospect of Xherdan Shaqiri leaving this summer, who also featured in the midfield several times last season. Since the departure of Wijnaldum, Liverpool have been linked with a number of players besides Nicolo Barella, including Saul Niguez, Franck Kessie and Houssem Aouar, but it remains to be seen who Liverpool will bring in before the end of the transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp would want to challenge for the Premier League title again, especially after we finished 17 points behind champions Manchester City last season.