da dobrowin： Liverpool have been linked to Italy international and creative midfielder Nicolo Barella ahead of the January transfer window. With cult hero Gini Wijnaldum looking as though he will be leaving the club next season, the Reds must be actively looking for a replacement if he is to search for pastures new.
da pixbet： Summer signing Thiago Alcantara has already shown glimpses of being a key player for his new club, but his recent injury problems have limited him to just two appearances so far.
With Barella on the radar, Liverpool could be looking to step up their title-challenging intensity. The loss of Virgil van Dijk through an ACL injury seems to have been a huge wake up call for the reigning Premier League champions. Should they suffer any further problems, it will be a disaster for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Should Liverpool sign Nicolo Barella?
FCInterNews has claimed that the 23-year-old has brought in a lot of admirers after his run of solid form for Inter Milan. Manchester United and Arsenal are amongst those very keen on his services.
Last season saw Barella tally four goals and eight assists across all competitions. Whilst these aren’t groundbreaking numbers, they are solid enough to keep Liverpool’s front three provided with chances from the midfield.
In comparison, Wijnaldum bagged six goals last campaign and is yet to get himself off the mark this time round (via Transfermarkt).
Barella has been lauded for his teamwork with Romelu Lukaku and was recently praised by Radja Nainggolan. The Belgian lauded the £45million-valued playmaker for being a “team player”, which is exactly the kind of person Klopp needs in his team.
Liverpool are free from egotistical personalities, which is a strong club ethic. The Reds would seriously benefit from someone who already understands the fabrics of the club and is willing to put in the hard work.
No formal asking price has been named for Barella, but Michael Edwards would definitely be able to work his magic on striking a good deal. He is currently contracted until 2024, but due to the current climate, Inter may be forced to sell up for a lower amount if the Reds come calling.
In other news, Exclusive: Chris Kirkland tips Joe Gomez to be Virgil van Dijk partner for “next 10 years”…