Liverpool still want to strengthen in midfield, with one long-term target being talked about for a huge move
(Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Liverpool could be about to bring a world-class midfielder to Anfield, with his club facing a fire sale.
Jurgen Klopp is in the midst of an overhaul on Merseyside, bringing in Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister early on in the transfer window. Since then, a number of moves have been touted, including Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone.
But one long-term target is emerging as a possible option to strengthen and with Liverpool keen to add depth to the squad, another midfielder is almost a certainty now.
Khephren Thuram of OGC Nice is on Liverpool's radar (Image credit: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
According to La Gazzetta della Sport in Italy, Nicolo Barella is wanted by the Reds, with talks taking place at the moment about lodging a concrete bid for the midfielder.
Journalist Rudy Galetti has tweeted that Barella's club, Inter Milan, view the star as unsellable – but with plenty of key assets linked with big moves away from the San Siro, the Nerazzurri may be forced to part with the Italian if a good offer comes in.
While Liverpool would love to sign Barella right now, however, it would seem unlikely that they currently have the financial might. The Reds pulled out of bidding for Jude Bellingham due to huge demands in terms of a transfer fee and haven't been in for £55m to £65m-rated Mason Mount either, despite rumoured interest before the window began.
Instead, the likes of Thuram and Kone have been mooted as alternatives, while Alexis Mac Allister cost just £35m in the end. Galetti himself has tweeted that Thuram should be expected to cost around similar.
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Nicolo Barella is wanted by Liverpool – but may end up being too costly (Image credit: Getty)
Another Inter star, Andre Onana is also linked with the Premier League with Manchester United said to be chasing him.
Transfermarkt estimates Barella to be worth at €75 million.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
