Liverpool named as potential mystery bidders for €80m-rated Serie A star

Liverpool and Manchester City have been named as potential mystery suitors for Inter star Nicolo Barella by reports in Italy. 

Barella, 27, is contracted to the San Siro giants until 2026 but is understood to be working on a renewal with his club. 

Inter hope to tie down the 51-times capped Italy international until 2029 and are prepared to offer him a significant salary raise. 

However, complicating the picture is reported interest from the Premier League. 

It’s no secret that Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle have previously been linked with Barella with reports reaching a crescendo last summer. 

No move materialised for the midfielder, however, as he opted to stay put. 

Liverpool opted to replenish their midfield with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch having lost a host of options in that area including Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita. 

Jurgen Klopp has been an outspoken fan of Barella in the past, declaring in 2022: “He has all the things you want from a midfield player. He is aggressive, he is technical, he can run for ages and all these kinds of things. That’s a top-class player.”

Premier League interest in Barella

Il Secolo XIX is now claiming that there is a 'monstrous' €80m (£68.5m) offer on the horizon from the Premier League with Liverpool and City both mooted as the bidders. 

Should Inter fail in their renewal attempts then a sale could be on the cards with Barella approaching the last two years of his current deal.

The Champions League finalist has been in incredible form for Inter this season as the Nerazzurri close in on the Serie A title. 

They have only lost one match in the league this term and are unbeaten in the Champions League to this point as well.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are 1-0 up on aggregate against Atletico Madrid and widely tipped to progress to the last 16. 

It feels like only a matter of time before Inter wrap up the title too as they sit 15 points clear of Juventus after 27 matches played.  

However, despite his quality and long-term interest to Liverpool, whether the Reds would realistically prioritise a big-money move for Barella this summer after last year's rebuild remains to be seen.

Anfield Watch understands the recruitment priority this summer will be on the defence, while it has been reported that wingers are also on the agenda for the Reds.