Numerous major Premier League teams are vying for the services of coveted Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella this summer, and the race is heating up.
What has changed in Liverpool’s search for Nicolo Barella?
According to FCInterNews, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United are all ‘crazy’ about the possibility of signing Barella, joining Liverpool at the head of the pack in their excitement.
His team’s hierarchy has valued him at up to €100m (£87m), and the top teams in English football might engage in a pricey transfer battle for his talents.
When taking into account claims that he is personally pushing for a departure in quest of new horizons, but contracted with until 2026, it could be a strenuous endeavor indeed. Barella may be headed for the Nerazzurri exit door.
Nicolo Barella should Liverpool sign him?
The price tag on Barella, which is not dissimilar to the €103m (£88m) original sum that Real Madrid spent to wrest Jude Bellingham away from Borussia Dortmund, is obviously a roadblock for Klopp and company.
The Reds would gain one of Europe’s top maestros, though, if Liverpool’s technical director Jorg Schmadtke can reduce the Inter ace’s eye-popping price tag over the coming weeks.
The 26-year-old has made 51 appearances this season and has scored nine goals and eleven assists. Reporter Mike Piellucci has praised him as a “genius” for his achievements. This weekend’s Champions League final versus Manchester City offers him the chance to win big.
The opportunity has arisen for someone of Barella’s caliber to establish a career as the Merseyside club’s new general by restoring the cohesion and verve that vanished as Liverpool slipped into obscurity this season by failing to qualify for the Champions League. Anfield said goodbye to a number of departees this summer.
The powers that be at Anfield have already signed Alexis Mac Allister to a long-term contract after his £35m release clause at Brighton & Hove Albion was satisfied, a cunning move hailed as a “bargain” by Fabrizio Romano.
The ruthless incisiveness that has become a hallmark of Liverpool’s play under Klopp was evident, and the 24-year-old’s energy and dynamism will definitely give a central midfield that needs major remodelling a sparkling new polish.
By fusing Mac Allister’s box-surging, progressive presence with Barella’s maestro-like skill set, he would sweeten the cake by bringing out the energy and intensity needed in a Klopp system.
The 43-cap Italy star, according to FBref, is in the top 7% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals, assists, shot-creating actions, passes that advance play, and carries that advance play per 90. He is also among the top 11% for progressive carries per 90.
Comparatively, Mac Allister ranks in the top 18% for successful take-ons per 90, the top 20% for progressive carries, and the top 19% for shot-creating actions. This shows how different skill sets work together to move the ball upfield and stifle the opposition with outstanding creativity and precise passing play.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will bite the bullet and agree to Inter’s financial demands, but there is no doubt that Barella is a midfielder with the ability to return Anfield to the top of the mountain of ambitious European teams.
