Liverpool will spend HALF their Bellingham budget to land Serie A alternative

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 27 Apr 2023 16:58 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool may turn their attention to Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella after deciding not to pursue Jude Bellingham this summer.

With Bellingham likely to cost well over €100m, the Reds ruled themselves out of the race for the Borussia Dortmund and England sensation and will consider alternative options as they look to revamp their midfield.

Italy international Barella, 26, has emerged as one potential target for Jurgen Klopp and co. during the next transfer window.

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According to Italian outlet Sportmediaset, Barella would set Liverpool back roughly €85m – so a far bit cheaper than Bellingham, although still enough to make him one of the Reds’ most expensive signings of all time.

A Euro 2020 winner, Barella joined Inter from Cagliari in 2020 and has gone on to establish himself as a key cog in the middle of the park for the Nerazzurri, making the best part of 200 appearances.

He’s featured 43 times in all competitions this season and scored a career-best eight goals – as well as providing seven assists – helping Simone Inzaghi’s side reach the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they will face arch-rivals AC Milan.

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A consistent performer

Barella was on target in both legs of Inter’s 5-2 aggregate victory over Benfica in the quarter-finals – having also found the net in 3-3 group-stage draw against Barcelona.

Inter’s Serie A campaign has been rather underwhelming – runners-up last term, they’re facing a battle to finish in the top four this time around – but Barella has remained one of their most consistent performers.

Were Barella to move to Anfield, he could become Liverpool’s first Italian signing since Mario Balotelli – who made 28 appearances for the Reds after joining from Milan in 2014.