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Liverpool could reportedly need to spend as much as €80m (£70.7m) if they want to sign Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella this summer, according to reports from Italy.
The Lowdown: Barella linked with Liverpool
The 26-year-old has continued to be one of the standout midfielders in Serie A this season, registering five goals and five assists in the division.
Barella has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the past year as the Reds look to address their serious midfield shortcomings during the summer transfer window.
A fresh update has emerged from the continent regarding their potential pursuit of the Italian maestro.
The Latest: Barella could cost £70m
According to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Liverpool could have to pay as much as £70.7m for Barella’s services this summer.
The report states that Jurgen Klopp has had the midfielder ‘followed by’ scouts for a while as the Reds manager looks to ‘revolutionise’ his midfield moving forward.
However, Barella is currently happy at Inter and is in no rush to leave, with his current deal not expiring until 2026.
The Verdict: Would be a superb signing
Barella is someone who could be the perfect addition for Liverpool this summer – Klopp has called him a ‘really good player’ in the past – possessing both the natural talent and the dynamism to transform the Reds.
His aforementioned goal and assist tally highlights his ability in possession, while he has also averaged 1.3 tackles per game in Serie A this season, showing an aptitude for working hard out of possession.
Barella is also a born winner, having tasted Euro 2020 glory with Italy and won four trophies with Inter; and at 26, he is in that prime mid-20s age bracket that Liverpool’s current midfielders have either passed or are far away from reaching.
It does seem as though it will be difficult for the Reds to get the Italian, especially if big money is spent on Jude Bellingham, but the Azzurri midfielder should be viewed as a primary candidate to come in at Anfield.
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