Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a big-money move for Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella this summer after ruling themselves out of the race to land Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham's price tag, likely to be in excess of £130million, was considered to be excessive by Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool hierarchy and the club have decided to move in a different direction.
The 19-year-old prodigy had been at the top of Liverpool's wishlist for well over a season and the young England international had close relationships with Anfield favourites Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
However, after an underwhelming season in the Premier League, Liverpool would rather spread their money across multiple signings rather than spending it all in one go.
Instead, Italy international Barella has been identified as one of the more realistic midfield options on the market, despite potentially costing in the region of £75million, according to Sport Mediaset.
Despite claiming they would not spend excessively on one individual player, Liverpool are still prepared to offer a fee of over £75m (€85m) for Baerlla's services.
The 26-year-old, who was part of Italy's Euro 2020 winning side two years ago, has been in in impressive individual form this season despite Inter's mixed bag of results under Simone Inzaghi this season.
Barella was on hand during both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Benfica, finding the net home and away to send Inter into the semi-final of the competition for the first time in 13 years.
The former Cagliari midfielder also provided the tie-deciding assist during Inter's 1-0 win over Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening, meaning a cup double is still on for Inzaghi's side.
However, life in the league has not been as straight forward this season and Inzaghi is widely expected to leave his post in the summer.
Despite having won the title less than two years ago, Inter currently sit in six having recently going on a run of six games without a win.
With seven games to go, seven points separate five teams between third and seventh in the Serie A table, meaning Champions League football is far from guaranteed for the blue and black half of Milan.
Champions League football for next season is not guaranteed at Anfield either with the Reds currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table.
As a consequence, Barella is not hugely keen on the move to Merseyside as reported by Sport Mediaset.
The move is said to 'not appeal' to the Sardinian midfielder, who has 'no intention of leaving Inter.'
Barella is also reported to have other suitor across Europe, particularly from Ligue Un according to reports in Italy.
Meanwhile Liverpool have other targets as well and are monitoring Mason Mount's situation as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract with Chelsea.