Liverpool very keen to sign £52m player who Jamie Carragher thinks is ‘fantastic’

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Liverpool are set to reignite their interest in a former transfer target in January.

Back in the summer, with Liverpool scrabbling around to fix their midfield issues, they were heavily linked with a move for Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella.

But despite Jurgen Klopp supposedly being ‘obsessed’ with signing Barella, a move never materialised. Other options were pursued instead. Now though, with the Reds still potentially looking for another addition, Italian outlet L’Interista have claimed that the 26-year-old could be in Liverpool’s sights again.

The crux of the matter appears to be Barella’s contract situation. Although he’s still tied to Inter until 2026 at least, it’s claimed that the Milan side are sweating a little over their star midfielder’s situation.

With two-and-a-half years still to run on Barella’s deal, there’s said to be ‘no hurry’ to get him a new one. Nevertheless, should a ‘monster’ offer arrive from one of the interested English clubs, Inter reportedly wouldn’t be in a position to refuse.

Keeping that in mind, Liverpool are said to have shown ‘great interest’ in recruiting Barella. It’s claimed that with Chelsea and Newcastle United also watching the Italy international, Inter are ready to bring contract talks with the player forward to the start of 2024.

Liverpool still in for Barella

It seems that not a transfer window goes by where Liverpool aren’t linked with signing Barella.

However, if the Reds were ever going to bring the former Cagliari man to Anfield, then it would have been last summer.

With midfield places needing to be filled, Barella had appeared a prime candidate. But perhaps put off by his high asking price and the difficulty of getting him out of Inter, Liverpool never solidified their interest.

Certainly, there could be no real fears over the Italian’s quality. Jamie Carragher is one of the many to have praised Barella in the past, calling him ‘fantastic’ after a top display in the Champions League last season.

It’s easy to see how his combative yet silky style could have slotted into Liverpool’s midfield.

But with reports that Barella would cost at least £52m, maybe the Reds just felt that they were better off looking elsewhere.

Now set to turn 27 in February, you’d have to assume that this will-he-won’t-he story is pretty much over.

From Inter’s point of view, you can see why they’re slightly tetchy over Barella’s contract. But with over two years still to run on it, we don’t think they’ve got all that much to worry about. Barella is an Inter boy. He reportedly wants to be a legend at San Siro and we don’t think he’s going anywhere.