Liverpool have ‘concrete’ interest in one of trio of Inter Milan stars primed for January sales but it could cost them £62m

Liverpool could be ready to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s midfield in the January transfer window by landing a top Inter Milan star.

The Italian giants are facing financial issues that are likely to lead to player exits, if the right offers come in. And one of those offers is rumoured to be from the Reds, as they step up their interest in Nicolo Barella.

Calciomercato reports that Inter will be forced into one large sale before next season. They also state that no one player is ‘untouchable’, and that includes Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Lautaro Martinez.

Barella has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time, with Jurgen Klopp a known admirer.

The Reds have had major midfield issues this season, with Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones and Fabio Carvalho all suffering injury issues.

Having looked into signing Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and Leicester star Youri Tielemans, Liverpool ended up bringing in Juventus star Arthur Melo on loan on deadline day.

However, the Brazilian has not made much of an impact so far as he builds up his fitness.

Midfield vacancy at Liverpool in 2023

There is also a strong chance that Arthur will not sign a permanent deal. To that end, midfield is an area that still needs addressing in 2023.

Borussia Dortmund and England star Jude Bellingham has long been Klopp’s top target. However, there will be a massive scramble for the teenager’s signature, if and when the German outfit decide to sell.

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United are monitoring Bellingham’s situation. The 18-year-old was outstanding in England’s 3-3 Nations League draw with Germany on Monday evening.

New Stamford Bridge chief Todd Boehly has already contacted Bellingham’s agent in an attempt to convince him to turn down potential offers from Liverpool, according to the Telegraph.

And the Daily Express states that if Chelsea win the race for Bellingham, then Liverpool will turn to Barella.

Inter value the Italy international at around £62million and are not willing to budge from that figure.

That figure may seem a little steep but Barella is only 25-year-old and is an established Italy international with 41 caps to his name.

Klopp will need to pull some strings

That price tag will leave Klopp having to do some convincing to Anfield transfer bosses though.

He has recently said, however, that he wants the club to take more risks in the transfer marker.

The German said, speaking in August: “Let me say it like this, from time to time, I would like to risk a bit more – but I don’t decide that.

“We have a great team and we will really try to squeeze everything out of this season.

“I am not careful, we get told what is possible and what isn’t. That’s it. In this range we try to work it. There’s no criticism, we became champions in a season when we didn’t sign anyone.

“We have an existing team as well. All the players we have here, we want to be here. I want to develop the club, the squad and be successful.”

Liverpool are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they host high-flying Brighton at Anfield.

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