All you need to know about Liverpool’s new target Nicolo Barella
On a sunny Saturday afternoon in London, Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 to extend their lead over the Londoners by 6 points. But it looks like the Reds are close to beating Spurs yet again.
According to The Express, Liverpool are confident of signing Nicolo Barella from Cagliari, who is a Spurs target from the summer.
Background
Barella is a 21-year-old Italian midfielder, who has come through the ranks of Cagliari. He made his debut for the club in 2015, coming on as a substitute against Parma in a Serie A game. But he was sent away on a short-term loan to Como, a Serie B side, in January 2016.
Regardless, Barella has emerged as one of the most promising talents in Italian football and has already represented Italy in all youth levels till the U21s.
Style of play
Diminutive yet energetic and technically gifted, Barella can either drop deep to dictate the play or work as a box-to-box midfielder. Given his skills and quality, he does look set to have a huge career.
Last season, he started 34 games, scoring 6 goals and assisting one to help Cagliari avoid relegation. But he has proven to be the perfect box-to-box player with a keen eye for a goal.
The young Barella never shies away from his defensive duties. In fact, he made 46 interceptions, successfully completed 69 tackles and racked up an impressive 43 clearances last season.
What does the future hold?
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up a serious knee injury last season. His absence certainly left Liverpool short of numbers in the midfield.
Fabinho did arrive from AS Monaco in the summer but The Metro claims that failing to sign Nabil Fekir has frustrated Klopp, as he feels he needs more quality and depth.
Barella is valued at £35million but Liverpool, who recently sold Ragnar Klavan to Cagliari in the summer, should utilize their good relations with the Italian club and close the deal.
Irrespective of when the deal materializes, Barella won’t be guaranteed a starting spot in Klopp’s first XI for sure. But at the age of 21, he will have an opportunity to grow under the German manager and maybe, in the future, become one of the main men for the Reds.
