Liverpool continued their impressive late-season form last Saturday with a 1-0 home victory over Brentford. As has become their way in recent weeks, the Reds were not at their scintillating best but ground out a single-goal victory to apply some pressure on top-four rivals Newcastle and Manchester United.
This week has also seen the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals. Potential LFC target Nicolò Barella lined up for Inter Milan in their 2-0 derby victory over AC Milan. Could the Italian star be swapping one of the fashion capitals of Europe for the north-west of England this summer?
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight Show, we asked goal.com’s Neil Jones for his take on the Barella links.
Neil said: “He’s probably the one player at the highest level, out of most the ones who have been linked. He literally is playing in the Champions League, probably going to play in a Champions League final.
Neil Jones on Mason Mount | Is He Using Liverpool To Get More Money?
“He looks a real, real good player, doesn’t he? The question is if you win the Champions League and Liverpool finish fifth, is that your career move? You wouldn’t get many players who’d do that kind of thing. “There are rumours that Inter – if they were to miss out on the Champions League by not winning it or not finishing in the top four, which is by no means guaranteed – it could mean that there is a financial requirement to sell.
“I think from the names we talked about more recently, the likes of Mason Mount, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch – I think they’re more likely than getting Barella in the summer, even though I think maybe he might be a better signing if Liverpool can get it done.
“I think he’s definitely one to keep a little eye on his situation, for sure. I wouldn’t be getting the name printed on the back of the shirt just yet! It’s a player – a very, very good player to start with, and one that Liverpool are very, very admiring of.”
Redmen Reacts
Landing one of the stars of a likely Champions League finalist would certainly cushion the blow of missing out on Jude Bellingham for many fans. Liverpool did a similar thing three years ago when signing Thiago, except Barella is in a more acceptable age bracket at 26. Neil is right to point out that it seems an unlikely career move for someone at the top level of European football to transfer to a Europa League side. The Reds have three games to try and make sure that is not their reality for next season. Perhaps the financial lure of the Premier League would be enough to entice the Italian, even if he has to spend a year in Europe’s second-tier competition. Of the plethora of midfield options linked with a summer move to Anfield, Barella – who Klopp himself previously described as ‘top class’ – is amongst the most high-profile. Liverpool have not had much luck with Italian signings over the years – hopefully, this one can buck the trend!
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