Arsenal and Liverpool have registered their interest in signing Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella, with the Nerazzurri in financial peril.
According to an exclusive report from Anfield Central, Liverpool are among the clubs keeping an eye on Nicolo Barella. Along with Arsenal, the Premier League giants have been put on red alert, as Inter Milan suffer from financial difficulties, thus putting the future of their midfielder in doubt.
Barella does have a contract in Milan until 2024, meaning the Nerazzurri are under no pressure of offloading the player on a cut-price fee. However, there is room for negotiations, as the club is in need of selling some of their star players despite winning the Scudetto in the 2020/21 campaign.
The contributions of Barella in midfield played a critical role in helping Inter Milan seize the title, as he established himself as one of the best midfielders in the league. The 24-year-old’s consistency, technical prowess and an ability to create chances added another dimension to Antonio Conte’s creative unit.
Barella’s partnership with Achraf Hakimi on the right-hand side was particularly impressive. Incidentally, Hakimi is also among the players courted by Arsenal, although Inter Milan are determined to avoid selling the player on a low sum in the summer.
The Gunners themselves could face difficulties in funding a move for either of the star players as they are in financial turmoil. In addition, Mikel Arteta has to address a number of weaknesses in the first-team, which means Arsenal will heavily rely on departures as means for transfer revenue.
Matteo Guendouzi, for one, is closing on a switch to Marseille, while the likes of Granit Xhaka, Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are all facing an uncertain future at the club. Liverpool, too, are expected to lose a few players in the summer.
Georginio Wijnaldum is already finding a new club after running down his Liverpool contract, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been subjected to a move to West Ham.
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The Reds have brought in Ibrahima Konate from Leipzig as well, which could make it even more difficult for them to fund a move for Barella. There is no doubt that the Italian international could be an ideal replacement for someone like Wijnaldum, but is expected to cost a fortune given his age, potential and contract.
There are no shortage of alternatives, though, with the Merseyside giants already interested in the services of AC Milan’s creator-in-chief Hakan Calhanoglu, suggesting just how desperate Jurgen Klopp is to bolster his options in the creative department. Having said that, it remains to be seen if either of Arsenal and Liverpool can manage to swoop the 24-year-old away from Inter Milan.
