Italian outlet Diretta Goal report that Tottenham tried to sign Nicolo Barella from Inter Milan in the summer and Antonio Conte remains keen on the Liverpool target – who reportedly boasts a market value of a huge £60million.
In just three seasons, and the start of the 2022-23 campaign, 25-year-old Barella has clocked up an enormous 141 appearances for Inter Milan. A box-to-box midfielder, he has scored 12 goals and laid on an impressive 37 assists.
Liverpool have been linked for some time. Even reports since the summer window claim that Liverpool might table a £60million bid in the January window. But Tottenham and Conte are also keen on landing Barella from Conte’s old side.
Indeed, Conte and Barella would be forming a reunion. Conte made Barella the heartbeat of his Inter midfield during 2020-21 as Inter went on to win the Scudetto. The report says Tottenham tried to sign him in the summer window.
That interest has not waned. It could see Conte, Fabio Paratici and Spurs return to the negotiating table for the ex-Cagliari midfielder in the January window, or more likely, next summer. He has a contract until June 2026.
The report states that Conte is ‘requesting’ Barella and a move could materialise in January. It also states that the loss of Barella would leave Inter Milan fans ‘frozen’ given how crucial he is to the Inter side.
Tottenham tried to sign Barella in the summer: Liverpool also keen
What a signing Barella would be for Tottenham – but is there room for him? Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has arguably been one of his side’s best players this season, so far. Rodrigo Bentancur continues to be a very solid partner in midfield.
The club have landed Yves Bissouma, regarded as one of the best midfielders outside of the top six when he was at Brighton. Oliver Skipp has been described as a future captain by Jose Mourinho, at Spurs. He is also homegrown.
So, Spurs are well-stocked in the middle of the park – especially with Pape Matar Sarr remaining. One to watch.
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