Liverpool could reportedly have the chance to sign Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella in the summer for over half of what Borussia Dortmund want for Jude Bellingham, with the Italian being made available.
According to CalcioMercato, the Serie A giants have placed a €75m (£66m) price tag on the 25-year-old midfielder ahead of the upcoming transfer window, where Liverpool are expected to invest heavily in the central position amid the potential departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita.
With Bellingham valued at £130m according to the Athletic, Barella could be an outstanding alternative for Liverpool given just how perfect the Italian international is for Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the midfielder also available for half of what Borussia Dortmund want for their English wonderkid.
One of the best midfielders in Italy and a player who is rated highly by Inter fans and pundits, Barella could be the answer to Liverpool’s issues in the position, with a £66m signing in the summer now on the cards as the Reds look to increase their interest in the 26-year-old.
Indeed, Liverpool could have done with a player like Barella on Saturday against Crystal Palace, where the Reds failed to break down the south London side in another disappointing Premier League result for the Anfield giants, with a creative central midfielder needed on Merseyside.
Whilst Bellingham is still a possibility, Dortmund’s asking price will be a huge sticking point for Liverpool, and with Klopp likely to favour an immediate short-term solution this summer, Barella could be a more ideal signing than the England star given the current circumstances.
Liverpool signing Barella could lead to Bellingham deal in 2024
As per the Athletic, there’s a chance that Bellingham could stay at Dortmund for next season if the right opportunity doesn’t come up this summer. And if Liverpool decide to sign Barella to help them return to the top-four, then the Italian will be helping the Reds land the England star in 2024.
The plan might seem like a stretch and an incredibly unlikely one, but the summer window is building up to be an unpredictable one, and for Liverpool, a short-term financial loss could result in the Anfield side having both Barella and Bellingham in their squad for the 2024/25 season.
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