Liverpool make Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella top summer target

Liverpool have made Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella their top transfer target in the summer transfer window

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool have made Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella their top transfer target for the summer transfer window.

It is a known fact that the club is going through a transition and need new faces coming in, especially in the midfield department. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have been awful at times this season while Thiago Alcantara’s injury issues have rendered him ineffective.

Barella, who is a regular for Inter and Italy national team, has been added to the top of the wishlist with Jurgen Klopp having a soft spot for the player.

Liverpool must pay around £75-100m if they are to sign Nicolo Barella. — Liverpool want to sign Nicolo Barella.

Currently 26, Barella is a typical box-to-box midfielder capable of playing as a 8 or a 10 and has the requisite workrate and ability needed to excel in a Klopp system.

With UEFA Champions League qualification looking more and more out of reach, it will have a direct impact on the potential arrivals in the summer.

All top players want to play in the biggest club competition and it would have to take a lot of effort to convince any player to join in case we miss out on the qualification.

We have been linked with top midfielders in Barella, Jude Bellingham, Aurien Tchouameni among others but the factor of a top four finish will definitely be a factor in determining our potential signings.

Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp. — Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp would be aware that top four finish is must to secure primary targets (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Currently 12 points off the fourth-placed Manchester United, it does seem like a steep task to cover the margin with just nine games remaining.

We might have to support our arch-rivals United in the sense that if they win the Europa League, then the fifth-placed team in the league qualifies for the Champions League.