Liverpool Transfer News: Rumoured Target Nicolo Barella Reportedly Fancies Inter

Liverpool are reportedly losing in their fight to sign Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella after it emerged Inter Milan are in pole position to recruit the starlet this summer.

The Reds have been the most prominently linked Premier League suitor when it comes to Barella, but Italian website Calciomercato.com (h/t TalkSport) reported the player would prefer to join the Nerazzurri.

Inter have also been hotly linked with the 21-year-old in recent months, and it seems a trip to the San Siro takes priority over an Anfield expedition in his mind.

Cagliari confirmed at the beginning of the year that Barella had signed a new contract until the summer of 2022, although Italian football writer Adam Digby surmised this was little more than a plot to squeeze more value out of his sale:

Football Italia reported in January that Juventus and AS Roma were also sniffing around the central star's situation, an indication as to the kind of respect he commands among young Italian talents right now.

Cagliari won promotion back to Serie A in 2015-16 following a single season in Italy's second tier. Barella came into the senior squad for the 2016-17 campaign and has been a frequent feature since, starting in 25 of the club's 28 leagues games this season.

He's scored five goals during that time—the club's joint-second-highest scorer—and holds a respected place in the team despite his age. However, one might question whether a young attacking midfielder would go to good use in Jurgen Klopp's side right now.

Liverpool's team is filled with stars closer to their prime and will soon welcome Naby Keita, a player who's bound to help boost the Reds' abilities of recovery, which OptaPaolo has indicated Barella thrives in:

Inter aren't the same powerhouse of old but have maintained their talent in luring top talents in recent years, particularly those native to Italy, and Barella's attention looks to be fixed on the San Siro.

In any case, the £35 million price said to be associated with Barella's sale seems bad value for money, according to Football Radars:

The youngster may prefer Inter, but it remains to be seen as to whether the Nerazzurri reciprocate that fondness, and Liverpool could look to pounce in the event they do not.