Liverpool have reportedly identified Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella as one of their priority transfer targets.
After an indifferent Premier League campaign which may not result in Champions League qualification, Jurgen Klopp has been left to consider reshaping his first-team squad.
The German has already acknowledged that changes will be made in midfield, a consequence of the expected departures on a free transfer of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
James Milner also falls into the same bracket, and Klopp is keen to push through with a refresh due to the ages of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
With Liverpool allegedly ruling themselves out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham due to Borussia Dortmund's valuation, it has led to other players becoming more likely to make the switch to Anfield.
© Reuters
Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Nunes are among the midfielders to be linked with a switch to Merseyside.
However, according to Sport Mediaset, Liverpool are willing to use a significant portion of their summer budget to acquire the services of Barella.
The report claims that Liverpool would be willing to go as high as £75m for a player who may become available due to Inter's ongoing financial issues.
Barella is regarded as a star man at San Siro, chipping in with eight goals and six assists from 39 appearances in Serie A and the Champions League this campaign.
© Reuters
Two of his strikes came in the recent Champions League quarter-final success over Benfica, setting up a last-four showdown with city rivals AC Milan.
Despite his status at I Rossoneri and having over three years left on his contract, Barella is one of Inter's most prized assets, the other being Lautaro Martinez, and could theoretically be used to balance the books.
Barella, who is also a 43-cap Italy international, has contributed 19 goals from 178 matches since his initial loan arrival at Inter in 2019.
Although a sale is plausible, Inter also face the prospect of fending off bids for Barella's midfield teammate Marcelo Brozovic, another player who has played a key role this season albeit as a squad member.
Darren Plant
