Fans are protesting against their club’s owner, after claims they could sell £77m man to Liverpool

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Inter Milan fans are protesting against the potential sale of reported Liverpool target Nicolo Barella this summer.

Barella has been floated as a potential player of interest to Liverpool as they look to re-tool their midfield. Indeed, a report from Calciomercato today names the Reds as one of the clubs hoping to take the 26-year-old to the Premier League.

Although that seems unlikely, the report claims that Inter owner Steven Zhang will actually sell Barella at the right price. Zhang’s position is said to be very clear – Barella can leave if an offer of around £68-77m arrives. Newcastle United, Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly ‘giving thought’ to that idea.

But in a follow up article, Calciomercato report that this news has not gone down well with supporters. Not at all.

They feature an Instagram message from Inter Ultra group 19 times Campione d’Italia sent this afternoon. “Interista born, present and future. Untouchable,” reads the message from the supporters group, alongside a photo of Barella.

It’s claimed that the message is a direct riposte to owner Zhang; an uncompromising message that trouble could be brewing if the Italy international is sold.

Inter fans voice Barella fury

There is a chance that the supporters’ message could stop Zhang in his tracks with Barella. Fan groups do yield more power in Italy than in England and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Having said that, the Interisti took a similar stance when it looked like star striker Romelu Lukaku could be sold in 2021. In the end, a whopping bid from Chelsea proved too good for Zhang to turn down.

If the money is right, it seems unlikely that Inter won’t be at least open to the idea of selling Barella.

What might turn out to be a bigger stumbling block is the player himself. Calciomercato report that the 26-year-old has always insisted that he isn’t interested in a Premier League move.

It is claimed that this could change if a big offer lands in his lap. But the clear inference – as repeated by Fabrizio Romano today – is that Barella is happy where he is.

That won’t stop English clubs at least trying, though. Romano has thrown Liverpool’s hat into the ring today and that’s a very exciting prospect indeed

It might upset fans of his current club, but we don’t think this one is liable to go away any time soon.