Liverpool Suffer Blow In Euros 2020 Winner’s Transfer Who Is Also Manchester United’s Target: Report

Liverpool FC have suffered a blow in their reported chase of Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella in the underway 2021 summer market.

Nicolo Barella, who is believed to be a target of Premier League rival clubs Liverpool and Manchester United, is "untouchable," according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has a credible record in the European transfer market.

There have been rumors that Liverpool are preparing an offer for Barella, who was a part of the Italian national team that won the Euros 2020 by defeating England in the final at Wembley Stadium, London.

Liverpool are preparing to make a bid worth $83 million for Barella, reported Rome-based newspaper La Repubblica. However, securing the deal would not be an easy task for the Reds. It is understood that with the departure of Achraf Hakimi for Paris Saint-Germain, new manager Simone Inzaghi has been promised a strong squad with no significant departures.

Barella started his soccer career at the Italian club Cagliari. He rose through the ranks at Cagliari and made his senior debut with the club in 2015. After spending six seasons at Cagliari, including a season-long loan at Como, Barella was signed by Inter Milan on loan in the summer of 2019 with an option to buy.

Contracted with Inter Milan until 2024, Barella has already made 87 competitive appearances for the Nerazzurri in two seasons. He was a key member of the side when Inter Milan finished runner’s up in the 2019-20 Europa League and won the Serie A last campaign. Across competitions, Barella has so far netted seven goals and 22 assists for Inter Milan so far.

Barella was a vital cog in the Italian side too in their recent successful Euros 2020 campaign. In six appearances, he scored one goal and assisted two, including being involved in both the goals in Italy’s 2-1 win over Belgium in the quarter-finals -- he assisted and scored in that game.

It is a well-known fact that Liverpool are on the lookout for a central midfielder in the ongoing summer market following the departure of Gini Wijnaldum. Wijnaldum, whose contract ended this summer, has moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a free transfer. Liverpool’s backup options for the role are the likes of Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but the duo has not proven their reliability in recent terms due to their fitness issues, while veteran James Milner is soon to turn 36.