According to La Repubblica, Liverpool are preparing a bid for Inter Milan and Italy playmaker Nicolo Barella.
What’s the story?
Well, the Italian news outlet believe Jürgen Klopp’s side are readying an offer worth €70m (£60m) for the 24-year-old.
Barella shone for Italy at EURO 2020, scoring a crucial goal in the quarter-final against Belgium.
The Inter Milan No.23 also grabbed an assist in his six appearances at the tournament, while performing superbly against England in the final.
Should the bid be accepted, it would make Barella the second most expensive player in Liverpool’s history, behind Virgil van Dijk.
Do Liverpool need Nicolo Barella?
100%. Liverpool have been lacking a dictator of play like Barella for some time.
Yes, the work Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Naby Keita get through is admirable at times.
However, aside from some glimpses of it from Thiago, Liverpool don’t really have an Andrea Pirlo-type sting-puller to keep the Reds in control of the game.
Not since the days of Xabi Alonso have Liverpool had someone as classy as Barella.
Interestingly, however, he has a dogged defensive side to his game, which Klopp will surely adore.
Barella is a pressing machine, so much so that he has drawn comparisons to N’Golo Kante for his relentless style of play.
Impressively, the Italian also won Serie A Midfielder of the Year for his efforts in 2020/21, as Inter Milan won the title.
If Liverpool get this deal over the line, the Anfield faithful should get excited.
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