Liverpool may have recently unlocked the door for Nicolo Barella to join them after revealing that Luis Diaz has resigned his No. 23 jersey in order to take James Milner’s No. 7. The Reds are aggressively trying to enhance their midfield options this summer, with Alexis MacAllister being the first of several likely additions. However, changes are being made to the present Merseyside team, including the swapping of jersey numbers. With Milner departing Liverpool as a free agent, the No. 7 jersey became up for grabs. Diaz wore that number for Porto during his time there. Hence Liverpool have now revealed that the 26-year-old will take over the No. 7 shirt next season. That means his former No. 23 shirt is now available, which Barella may be interested in.
Liverpool eyeing Nicolo Barella to strengthen their midfield
Jurgen Klopp has already stated his admiration for Barella, and according to rumours in Italy, Liverpool is preparing to make an offer for the box-to-box midfielder. And Diaz’s shirt change might fall into Liverpool’s hands as they aim to capture Barella’s signature. The Italy international is presently wearing the No. 23 jersey for Inter, as he has done since joining the club in 2019. Barella has proven himself as one of the world’s top midfielders with Inter, where he is noted for his passing skills and strong mentality in the middle of the field.
According to Il Tempo in Italy, Liverpool are willing to pay a high price for Inter Milan player Nicolo Barella, whom they have been associated with for several weeks According to the publication, the Reds are looking ‘straight at Barella’ to reinforce their midfield ranks. They failed to sign a midfielder last summer and appear to have deep interest in the Inter playmaker, who has been key for the Serie A club, helping them reach the Champions League final. Barella, on the other hand, will not come cheap, with Inter seeking €80 million, or £68 million, if they are to part with the Italian. Given that Liverpool has already recruited Mac Allister, that would be a significant portion of the club’s summer budget.
However Liverpool might be able to take advantage of Inter’s terrible financial circumstances. The Serie A club is anxious for finances to pay off its outstanding debt. Inter agreed out an emergency £215 million loan from Oaktree Capital in 2021 in order to keep the club afloat. However, interest rates have risen since then, and they now have until May 2024 to repay the loan or face losing ownership of the club to Oaktee.
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