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Liverpool may spend half of Jude Bellingham cash on one player as 'super offer' planned
Liverpool withdrew from the race to sign Jude Bellingham this summer in favour of recruiting multiple midfielders instead.
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Liverpool could blow a huge chunk of their summer transfer budget on Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella, despite ruling out the prospect of signing Jude Bellingham at the end of the season due to Borussia Dortmund's massive asking price.
Bellingham was rumoured to have chosen Anfield as his preferred destination, with manager Jurgen Klopp and club captain Jordan Henderson both talking up the youngster's exploits with BVB and England.
However, with Dortmund set to demand north of £130million to let him go this summer, the Reds reportedly decided that their interests would be best served going after several midfield recruits, rather than one expensive acquisition.
New rumours may therefore leave supporters confused, as Sport Mediaset claim that Liverpool are plotting a huge £75m offer for Inter Milan star Barella.
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Such a bid is well over half what Liverpool would expect to pay for Bellingham, who is held to be one of the most exciting youngsters in the world. Barella comes with pedigree in his own right, but landing the 26-year-old would not be as big a statement as winning the race for the Dortmund man.
Barella burst onto the scene as a teenager with Cagliari and he has been virtually ever-present since signing for Inter in 2020. Despite only just approaching his prime years, the Nerazzurri star has already racked up 43 caps for the Italian national team.
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It remains to be seen whether Barella would be prepared to leave the San Siro, given that Klopp's side are now a long shot to qualify for next season's Champions League. The former Dortmund boss may ultimately have to go without as a result, with reports indicating that joining the Reds 'does not appeal' to Barella.
Liverpool won't end the summer empty-handed, however, as their recruitment team have supposedly drawn up a shortlist of midfield targets. Mason Mount is believed to be front and centre of their plans as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
Mount's Chelsea team-mate, Conor Gallagher, is also a player of interest as he continues to struggle for game time at his boyhood club. Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister and Fulham ace Joao Palhinha have been linked to Anfield, too, as we approach the start of the window.
Bringing in new bodies will be essential for Klopp and co, given the exodus that is virtually certain to unfold in a few weeks' time. Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will leave Merseyside as free agents, while Arthur Melo's disastrous loan move is set to see him return to Juventus.
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