Liverpool to offer 2 players to sign ‘ideal candidate’ – Midfielder transfer can be negotiated

Liverpool have identified Inter Milan’s Nicolò Barella as a transfer  target for the summer. 

The Italy international initially moved to the Serie A side on loan from Cagliari in 2019 and joined them permanently a year later.

He could be on the move after this season and Liverpool have emerged an option.

Barella has been a regular for the Italian club, managing 26 goals and 62 assists from 326 matches. This includes a goal and eight assists from 36 matches this season.

His Serie A stats per game this season are as follows:

• Big chances created [season]: 14
• Key passes: 2.3
• Accurate passes [season]: 86%
• Tackles: 1.7
• Possession won (final third): 0.7
• Ball recovered: 4.7
• Duels won: 3.5

Arne Slot’s side are showing interest in bringing the midfielder to the Premier League.

Liverpool’s plan to lower price

InterLive.it report the Nerazzurri have every player up for sale except Lautaro Martínez and Francesco Pio Esposito.

This means stars like Nicolò Barella could ‘say goodbye’ in the next window and he won’t be short of options.

Liverpool are looking to improve their midfielder next season, irrespective of Arne Slot’s future. They see the Italian as an ‘ideal candidate’ and will try to bring him to Anfield.

Inter Milan value the 29-year-old at over €60m, and the Reds seem to find this price high. In order to lower the price, the Merseyside club will include two of their own players as part of the deal.

The report’s title states: ‘Inter, an all-Italian swap: two for one with Barella’. Slot’s side are offering Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni, with the latter on a loan deal.

Chiesa hasn’t enjoyed a good run since leaving Juventus for Liverpool in August 2024. In January, Sport Witness relayed news of his old club’s interest, but a move didn’t take shape in the winter market.

The 28-year-old attacker could be on the move and a return to Italy seems to be the most feasible option in the summer.

FcInter1908 report Inter Milan are thinking about Leoni, who left Parma for Liverpool last August. The 19-year-old centre-back suffered a serious injury on his debut in September and has been on the sidelines since then.

The San Siro club always valued the youngster and continue to do so. The outlet makes it clear it’s their own information and state he ‘is not entirely indifferent to a possible return to Italy’.

For now, Leoni is an idea for Inter Milan, who could try for a loan, probably with an option to buy.

Barella’s contract info, value and agent info

Nicolò Barella has a contract until 2029 and his value, as per Transfermarkt, is €50m. He is represented by agent Alessandro Beltrami.

The midfielder turned 29 years of age in February. Therefore, Liverpool offering two of their own players plus money may not be a good deal for them.