Liverpool are reportedly preparing a summer swoop for Nicolò Barella, but Inter have ways of raising funds to ensure he won’t be sold, sacrificing Marcelo Brozovic and Denzel Dumfries.
Multiple reports over the last few days have suggested Liverpool set their sights firmly on Italy international Barella to reinforce their midfield next season.
A proposal worth over €80m would be difficult to turn down, especially after losing Milan Skriniar as a free agent only a year after turning down offers of €70m from Paris Saint-Germain.
La Gazzetta dello Sport outlines how Inter might be able to raise enough fresh funds to lock down Barella, who is very happy at San Siro and has no intention of leaving.
Others will be sacrificed in his place, first and foremost Dumfries, although his €60m price-tag has probably dropped since falling off form in the wake of the World Cup.
Premier League sides, above all Chelsea, are still eager to snap up the Dutch wing-back, who is now consistently left on the bench in favour of Matteo Darmian.
It’ll remain a huge profit regardless, seeing as he cost only €14.25m to sign from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2021.
Another player believed to be on his way out after losing his place in the starting XI is Brozovic, who has interest from the likes of PSG and even Real Madrid.
He has been effectively replaced in Simone Inzaghi’s side by Hakan Calhanoglu, adapting brilliantly to the new role during the Croatian’s injury absence.
There are also others on their books who Inter can sell to make a handy profit, including Michele Di Gregorio to Monza, Andrew Gravillon to Reims, Martin Satriano, Stefano Sensi, Valentino Lazaro, Facundo Colidio, Lucien Agoume and Sebastiano Esposito.
Samuele Mulattieri has attracted a lot of attention during his loan spell at Serie B with Frosinone.
The other boost would be progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, which could bring in unexpected funds, as they lead FC Porto 1-0 after the first leg.