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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Liverpool face Real Madrid 'fight' for £77m midfielder who 'bewitched' Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool’s links with Nicolo Barella have attracted a lot of attention - and now Real Madrid have said to have entered the race.

Earlier this week Calciomercato claimed that Barella is admired by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. And that the Reds will make a firm approach to sign the Inter Milan midfielder.

The report went on to say that Klopp is “bewitched” by the 25-year-old, who is valued at around £77million. Additionally, it was claimed that Liverpool would be willing to include Naby Keita as part of a swap deal for Barella.

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However, a fresh report from Calciomercato has said that Madrid are now interested in signing the Italy international. Additionally, it has been claimed that the Spanish outfit are prepared to offer two players in a swap deal for Barella, compared to the one originally mentioned in the report referring to the Reds.

The two players being offered are apparently centre-back Nacho Fernandes and former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos.

However, it must be stated that Madrid have just spent £85m in a deal to sign Aurelien Tchouameni, who was also linked with Liverpool. With that in mind, it may seem unlikely that the La Liga giants would consider a big move for another midfielder in the same window.

Despite the rumours linking the Reds with Barella, it is expected that Calvin Ramsay’s recent arrival will conclude their incoming summer business. The club feel that by signing the defender, along with Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho, they have got exactly what they felt they needed and wanted.

A new midfielder is currently Liverpool's transfer priority for summer 2023, with Jude Bellingham known to be of interest .

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