Jurgen Klopp has identified Nicolo Barella as an alternative to Jude Bellingham, it has been reported.
It emerged on Tuesday that Liverpool had pulled out of the race to sign Bellingham, due to the transfer fee the England international would likely command.
The 19-year-old was allegedly Liverpool’s primary transfer target for the coming transfer window, with Klopp thought to be a huge admirer.
However, any move for Bellingham would cost north of £100million, which is not a viable option for the summer considering the number of recruits the Reds are looking to bring in.
Indeed, Klopp explained last week that Liverpool will improve their on-field chances with smart recruitment. The German said: “Whatever we do next year will never be enough from people’s point of view and your [the media’s] point of view.
“But yes, with smart recruitment we will improve – definitely. That is the plan. We cannot make 24 changes and say, ‘here we go’ – not even 10 – but it is just that we have to make changes, smart changes, and then we go again.”
Liverpool to sign Barella?
It has been widely speculated that Liverpool are interested in the 26-year-old, who the Italian media have claimed would cost around £60/65million.
The Inter Milan midfielder operated primarily on the right side of the pitch as a box-to-box player. Indeed, like Bellingham, Barella is heavily involved in progressing play and attacking, while he also contributes defensively when called upon.
The Italy international would likely be an upgrade on what the Reds already have, while he has the Klopp seal of approval.
Back in 2022, the German said: “He is a good player, a really good player. I like him a lot. He has all the things you want from a midfield player – he’s aggressive, he’s technically (good) he can run for ages and all these kinds of things.
“So he’s a top-class player.”
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