Liverpool are big fans of £77m man, but there’s something they’re still not sure about

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Liverpool still aren’t completely convinced that Nicolo Barella is the right kind of player they need right now.

Barella has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield recently. And speaking to GiveMeSport last night, journalist Fabrizio Romano has once again confirmed that the Reds ‘appreciate’ the Inter Milan midfielder.

However, there does seem to be a catch. Well, a couple of them actually. According to Romano, Barella would likely cost ‘way more’ than £50m, and Liverpool aren’t sure he’s exactly what they need.

“The reported fee of £50 million for Barella is not going to be enough for any club to sign him,” explained the journalist. “Inter want way more than this and it is not going to be an easy negotiation in any case.

“For Liverpool, he is appreciated yes, but they are not sure yet that this is the kind of player they need. Let’s see in the next days or weeks.”

Liverpool yet to be convinced on Barella

Some will roll their eyes at Liverpool’s hesitancy here. Barella is quite clearly a top midfielder who would be a vast improvement on what the Reds currently have.

But, we do get where they’re coming from a little bit here.

A lot of Liverpool’s problems in midfield last season stemmed from a lack of physicality and ‘legs.’ It was there for all to see; the Reds were getting bullied week after week.

From that point of view, new signing Alexis Mac Allister will help in terms of energy and positional awareness. But at around 5ft 9in, the Argentine isn’t the biggest at all.

Barella is a similar height. And although the Italy international is an aggressive player, you don’t necessarily want two relatively small players in a three-man midfield in the Premier League. When you’re paying £77m for a player, you need to be convinced. It sounds like Liverpool aren’t.

Instead, Liverpool could probably do with someone who carries a little more presence. That’s why the links to Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone and Ryan Gravenberch make sense. All are over 6ft, with Thuram looking like a bit of a giant.

That isn’t to say that Barella wouldn’t bring his qualities, of course he would. But it might be an idea to get a bigger, more imposing midfielder boxed off before they push harder to bring him in.