Manchester City have attempted to sign a player deemed the \u2018most valuable\u2019 Italian in the game right now, though it\u2019s Liverpool \u2018above all\u2019 who stand the best chance of striking a deal, according to a report.<\/p>\n
Liverpool<\/a> and Man City will be among the biggest spenders in world football this summer. City already took steps to rebuilding their side in January with four additions. Omar Marmoush was the headline attraction of the quartet.<\/p>\n Liverpool, meanwhile, have signed just one outfield player over the last three windows (Federico Chiesa). But with Trent Alexander-Arnold due to leave, Andy Robertson a fading force, centre-back and central midfield depth essential, and a replacement for the outbound Darwin Nunez required, at least five new faces could arrive.<\/p>\n And according to a fresh update from Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool have their eye on the \u2018most valuable Italian footballer\u2019 who \u2018can\u2019t be worth less than \u20ac100m.\u2019<\/p>\n When hearing those assessments the mind may immediately think of Newcastle\u2019s Sandro Tonali or Inter Milan\u2019s centre-back ace, Alessandro Bastoni.<\/p>\n But per GdS\u00a0(as cited by Sport Witness<\/a>), it\u2019s Bastoni\u2019s Inter<\/a> teammate, Nicolo Barella<\/a>, who fits the billing.<\/p>\n The central midfielder may be 28 years of age, though provided a timely reminder during the week of what he\u2019s capable of.<\/p>\n Barella played a starring role in helping Inter to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final clash.<\/p>\n Gushing about his display in Germany, the report stated:\u00a0\u2018Wherever you turned, it was all 23 (Barella\u2019s number). Back-heel and toe, like a dancer who softened his steps and charmed teammates, opponents, fans, everyone.\u2019<\/p>\n Man City are claimed to have attempted to sign the all-action midfielder who has been named in SIX consecutive Serie A teams of the season. However, it\u2019s then stated Liverpool \u2018above all\u2019 are the \u2018most interested\u2019 in striking a deal.<\/p>\n Can Liverpool really sign Nicolo Barella?<\/strong><\/p>\n Barella has long been a wanted man at Anfield dating far back into the Jurgen Klopp era.<\/p>\n Ahead of a Champions League tie between Inter and\u00a0Liverpool\u00a0in 2022 \u2013 in which Barella missed out through suspension \u2013 Jurgen Klopp said:\u00a0\u201cThat Barella is not able to play is not bad for us. He\u2019s a really good player, a really good player and I like him a lot.<\/p>\n \u201cHe 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\u2019s a top-class player.\u201d<\/p>\n Liverpool heavily scouted the 61-cap Italy international<\/a> ahead of their midfield rebuild in 2023. A deal was not made, with the Reds signing Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch instead.<\/p>\n Fast forward to the present day and Liverpool making a move for Barella at the age of 28 would be a surprise given the club have largely favoured signing players in their early-mid 20s in recent times.<\/p>\n A few exceptions have been made for specific market opportunities in midfield, such as Thiago Alcantara and Endo. But both players were signed for relatively low fees and nowhere near close to the sums it would take to sign Barella.<\/p>\n Latest Liverpool news \u2013 Salah signs \/ Contract theory debunked \/ Arsenal hijack?<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34\u00a0Liverpool ANNOUNCE new Mo Salah contract as superstar makes trophy vow<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n