Liverpool 'ready to submit €80m bid' for Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella

Liverpool are ready to break the bank to sign Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella, according to reports in Italy.

The Italian is one of the many midfielders linked with a move to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp eyes a major rebuild to his squad following an underwhelming 2022-23 campaign which saw them miss out on Champions League qualification.

And after failing to sign Jude Bellingham, who recently agreed to join European giants Real Madrid, the Reds boss has wasted no time in finding alternatives, having already agreed a deal with Brighton for Alexis Mac Allister earlier this month.

And Barella could be Fenway Sports Group's next piece of business, with the Merseyside club allegedly lining up a whopping €80 million (£68.6m) bid for the 26-year-old, who played an influential part in Inter's run to the Champions League final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City.

Or at least that's according to Italian journalist, Simone Pieretti, who told Il Tempo (via Reddit) that Liverpool were 'ready to submit' the offer, with Inter having already identified Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi as a potential replacement.

However, Liverpool are expected to face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United and Newcastle, who are both keen on signing the Euro 2020 winner, claim Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness).

Liverpool face competition for Barella

The same report claims United are seen as a 'far more attractive' destination for Barella than Newcastle, who have turned their attention to Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram.

While it is claimed that United have already made an initial approach for Barella, with 'interested phone calls' made to Inter from Old Trafford. Although a bid is yet to materialise.

The report adds that the ears of Barella's agent, Alessandro Beltrami, are 'inevitably pricked towards the Premier League', meaning a summer move could be on the cards.