A report from Italian site CalcioMercato claims that Tottenham will be rejected by Nicolo Barella if they try to sign the Inter Milan midfielder in January – while other reports claim Liverpool have shown interest in the Italy international.
Barella, 25, has been in incredible form this season. Joining Inter initially on loan from Cagliari in 2019, he has since become one of Inter’s best player – if not, their best. He is just one game away from clocking up 150 Inter outings.
In that time, he has had a hand in 55 goals from midfield despite being a box-to-box type. This season, he has five goals and five assists in just 14 league and cup outings. Little surprise, then, that Tottenham and Liverpool are keen.
CMW have said since the summer window that Liverpool want him – with a fee of £60million required. Since the report of Liverpool interest, Diretta Goal say Tottenham want him. Antonio Conte is said to have ‘requested’ his arrival.
Now, CM might have just handed Liverpool a possible boost – or a blow. That is because, the report claims that Barella would reject a move to Tottenham, preferring to remain at Inter. Whether that is the same for Liverpool, is unclear.
Tottenham will be rejected by Barella if they try to sign midfielder
What a signing Barella would be right now, for any of the best clubs in the world. He has to be one of the most in-form players at a Champions League club right now. One of the best players that will not be attending the World Cup.
That latter point could hand interested clubs the chance to strike a deal for Barella, with the World Cup taking centre stage. Whether or not Tottenham could convince Barella remains to be seen, but he and Conte have worked together.
With Yves Bissouma sitting, there is space in the Tottenham side for more of an attack-minded midfielder. But Barella would cost a pretty penny. With Liverpool also keen, Spurs may struggle to convince the Inter star to join Spurs.
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