Liverpool may turn their attention to Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella after deciding not to pursue Jude Bellingham this summer.
With Bellingham likely to cost well over €100m, the Reds ruled themselves out of the race for the Borussia Dortmund and England sensation and will consider alternative options as they look to revamp their midfield.
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Italy international Barella, 26, has emerged as one potential target for Jurgen Klopp and co. during the next transfer window.
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According to Italian outlet Sportmediaset, Barella would set Liverpool back roughly €85m – so a far bit cheaper than Bellingham, although still enough to make him one of the Reds’ most expensive signings of all time.
A Euro 2020 winner, Barella joined Inter from Cagliari in 2020 and has gone on to establish himself as a key cog in the middle of the park for the Nerazzurri, making the best part of 200 appearances.
He’s featured 43 times in all competitions this season and scored a career-best eight goals – as well as providing seven assists – helping Simone Inzaghi’s side reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they will face arch-rivals AC Milan.
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A consistent performer
Barella was on target in both legs of Inter’s 5-2 aggregate victory over Benfica in the quarter-finals – having also found the net in 3-3 group-stage draw against Barcelona.
Inter’s Serie A campaign has been rather underwhelming – runners-up last term, they’re facing a battle to finish in the top four this time around – but Barella has remained one of their most consistent performers.
Were Barella to move to Anfield, he could become Liverpool’s first Italian signing since Mario Balotelli – who made 28 appearances for the Reds after joining from Milan in 2014.
