Liverpool have been told to pay between £75M-£100M for one of their most sought-after transfer targets; it would be an incredible signing.
The Reds have had a long-standing interest with Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella and reports have revealed that if they want their man, they’ll have to pay big money.
Currently, the Reds are facing an injury crisis, especially in midfield, given Thiago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones are all out injured.
Fans are demanding a midfield signing comes in to help ease their issues but is Barella a likely summer signing?
Thiago could miss six weeks with the hamstring injury he picked up against Fulham, per @JamesPearceLFC pic.twitter.com/9tqPFZIBzZ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 8, 2022
What makes Barella great?
Barella, 25, is an incredibly energetic, hard-working and talented midfield who ticks all the boxes needed to play in a Jurgen Klopp midfield.
Statistically, he can be compared to the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric and he offers a creative and energetic threat the likes of which the Reds don’t currently possess.
Playing in a three-man midfield is familiar to the Italian but his strengths lie in that box-to-box role that allows him to get forward and influence attacks; especially in terms of creating goals given he managed 13 in Serie A last season.
Looking at his stats – they reflect his style of play and what he could bring to Liverpool.
He would certainly help create chances from midfield given he ranks in the 98th percentile for Shot-creating actions per 90 with 4.07.
He also ranks highly (95th percentile) for progressive passes with 4.78 and for touches in the opposition area (3.17) which shows his ability to help transition quickly and how he likes to join attacks from midfield.
His dynamism would help to elevate the Reds and he could be seen as the perfect Jordan Henderson replacement given his added technical qualities.
Latest transfer news on Barella
Liverpool have long-standing interest in the Milan midfielder but he is almost irreplaceable to the Italian club.
If Liverpool want their man they’ll have to pay somewhere in the region of £75M-£100M to secure his services – according to the Mirror.
The Reds are already targeting Jude Bellingham as a marquee signing next summer which is likely to cost in the same region, if not more.
It’s likely they’ll look for a lower-cost option to sign to solve their midfield and injury crisis but don’t rule them out from signing him in seasons to come.
