Transfer Talk: Klopp wants Barella to bolster midfield

Liverpool have been eyeing up Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella to bolster their midfield options this summer.

Jurgen Klopp is said to be desperate for fresh faces in the middle of the park with Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho all struggling to maintain a high level for the Merseyside club.

Barella, 26, has been a key player for Simone Inzaghi since he joined from Cagliari in 2020 and has gone on to win four major honours with the Nerazzurri.

The box-to-box midfielder has scored five times and grabbed a further five assists in blue and black this season, helping Inter to 47 points so far in Serie A and a comfortable second place.

But according to Italian sources, the 42-cap Italian international could be on the move after just three seasons in the capital.

Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to watch the Scudetto winner and Klopp is said to have been a fan of the anchor for many years.

But any deal with the Premier League club would have to involve a significant fee with Barella valued at over £60million due to him having a contract that runs until 2026.

The midfield maestro's arrival at Anfield would be in addition to another central reinforcement, with the German head coach looking to completely overhaul his squad at the end of the campaign.

In other news

Fulham, Everton, Leicester and West Ham are among a number of clubs looking to land Roma defender Chris Smalling on a free transfer this summer, according to 90Min.

Spanish sources are claiming that Joao Felix would like to make his loan deal at Chelsea permanent at the end of the season.

According to Mundo Deportivo, French forward Marcus Thuram has been offered to a host of clubs by his agent, including Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.