Liverpool are plotting a move for Cagliari youngster Nicolo Barella. According to a report in the English press, Liverpool are among a whole host of clubs which include the likes of Juventus and Inter Milan who are trying to secure a deal for the Italian Under 21 international. However, Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini has informed any potential suitors that it will cost them £44million if they want to land Nicolo Barella’s signature in the near future.
The 20-year-old has impressed with some eye-catching displays this season and is now set for a big money move out of Cagliari soon. It is believed that the Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan are both keen on the midfielder while Liverpool are ready to splash the cash in pursuit of the starlet following Phillipe Coutinho’s big money departure to Barcelona earlier this month.
However, Cagliari president, Giulini, has recently revealed that it would take a bid in the region of £44m to prize Barella out of the club. The Italian starlet put pen to paper on a new deal with the club which will keep him at Cagliari until the summer of 2022. Thus, it is no wonder that the club won’t let him depart on the cheap.
In an interview with Rai Radio, the Cagliari president revealed, “I’ve read everything about his renewal, but we didn’t do it to raise his price,”
“Nicolo deserved a better salary and an extra year on his contract. We want to grow, improve and do everything to keep Nicolo another season.
“Of course, if there were offers that we couldn’t refuse, upwards of €50m (£44m), then we could discuss it.
“We’d take the €50m (£44m) and strengthen the team.”
Barella has featured in 19 matches for Cagliari this season and has scored 2 goals for the Italian club so far. Liverpool are looking to build for the future and with the departure of Phillipe Coutinho, they are in a position to invest heavily into their squad keeping their long-term goals in mind. There is no doubt that the 20-year-old Cagliari midfielder has immense potential but their loyal supporters might want the club to go for someone who can immediately have an impact on Jurgen Klopp’s current squad.
However, the owners of the Merseyside club, Fenway Sports Group are big admirers of investing in players who have a lot of potential and selling them for higher value in the future as evidenced by the signings of Phillipe Coutinho and Luis Suarez. So it remains to be seen whether the Reds make a significant offer for the Italian wonder-kid in the near future.
