Liverpool want Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella this summer

After Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director confirmed that the club hasn’t received any bids for midfield sensation Jude Bellingham this summer, and along with that hoping that he would stay at the Black and Yellows this year, Liverpool have turned their heads elsewhere in pursuit of a new midfielder. (h/t Evening Standard)

Meanwhile, nearby in the West Midlands, Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Bruno Lage talked about one of Liverpool’s other targets; Ruben Neves to Sky Sports. The Portuguese was apparently “99% sure” of the former Porto midfielder staying at Wolves this year. Neves scored the only goal for the Wanderers in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in GW4.

With their options seemingly reduced, the Reds have turned to Italy on the trail of Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella. The 25-year-old was instrumental in Italy’s successful Euro 2020 title win. A central midfielder who doesn’t play out of position much, the former Cagliari boy can be a good suit for Liverpool.

Liverpool want Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella this summer. — Nicolo Barella is targeted by Liverpool. (Pic Credit- Reuters)

Will Barella fit at Liverpool?

Barella has drawn multiple comparisons to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. The Italian is also a box-to-box like the current Aston Villa manager. The 25-year-old prefers to play on the right side of a holding midfield three and can complement Thiago Alcantara who tends to play on the left.

His work rate is something he receives praise for. Jurgen Klopp would find that ideal in a player because of the German’s style of Gegenpress. Last season, Barella accumulated four goals and 13 assists from 48 appearances for the I Nerazzurri.

A very injury-prone midfield has forced Jurgen Klopp to take a “U-Turn” on his stance of not signing a new midfielder. He spoke to the press after the shock loss to Manchester United stating that he would ideally want reinforcements in the middle of the pitch. Barella seems like someone who could fill in that void almost perfectly, and suit Liverpool’s high press style.

The Reds must part ways with a hefty amount going up to £100 million if they want to have the Italian onboard. Nevertheless, Liverpool’s owners are not known for their expansive spending habits. Consequently, there is speculation as to whether they will spend that large an amount. The club nearly spent almost the same amount earlier in the transfer window to oversee the signing of Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay.

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With not a lot of time left for the transfer window to conclude and seemingly not many options left on the market, Liverpool need to analyse their alternatives and choose the best of the available lot in the interests of the club.