Reported Liverpool transfer target Nicolo Barella could be sold in January as Inter Milan look to cash-in on him.
That’s according to Calciomercatoweb, who claim that Inter are ‘evaluating’ whether or not to sell the Liverpool target. As the club consider extending defender Milan Skriniar’s contract, Barella could reportedly be ‘sacrificed’ to make room for the funds.
It’s claimed that this would most likely be during next summer’s transfer market. However, should an offer arrive in January, it’s reportedly ‘not excluded’ that Barella would be sold then.
Inter’s price for the midfielder is said to be set at around £60m. No clubs are named here, but a bid is reportedly most likely to come from the Premier League. However, the 25-year-old is also said to be of interest to ‘several’ Spanish clubs too.
Liverpool still looking for midfield reinforcements
Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Barella this summer as they chased a new midfield addition.
In the end that didn’t happen. The Reds did bring in a midfielder from Serie A, but to the surprise of many, that was Juventus’ Arthur Melo.
Still, the next year promises to be a big one in terms of Liverpool’s midfield. The position is in desperate need of some renovation, and it simply has to come next summer at the very latest.
If Jurgen Klopp’s team continue to stutter along until January, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a new player brought in then.
Liverpool proved they can be effective in the winter market last year, by moving quickly for Luis Diaz. As we now know, the Colombian’s signing proved to be a big shot in the arm for the team.
As a result, they’re possibly more inclined than they previously had been to make mid-season additions.
If Barella really were available in January, it would be a no-brainer to attempt to bring him in. Klopp is a big fan of the Italian, calling him ‘top-class’ via Eurosport earlier this year.
Admittedly, £60m is a huge price for a club like Liverpool, especially if they plan to go after Jude Bellingham in the summer. But Liverpool have resisted entering the market in previous years. As a result, they have no choice but to put significant investment into the midfield. Barella would be a great way to kick that off.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
