Liverpool transfer news: Nicolo Barella, Dejan Lovren, Roberto Firmino

The race to sign Italy’s newest sensation Nicolo Barella is reaching fever pitch with Liverpool and now Arsenal taking an interest in the 21-year-old Cagliari midfielder.

But are the Gunners too late? According to the Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool are readying a £30m bid for Barella, who’s described by talkSPORT as “one of the most in-demand talents in European football”.

Reds rate Barella

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been tracking the young playmaker since the summer. Cagliari’s first appearance for Italy last week has apparently convinced the German to make a move.

But now Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Arsenal have “sent scouts to watch the youngster” and Gunners head coach Unai Emery is ready to match any bid from his Premier League rival.

There is also interest from several other European clubs with reports that Liverpool were not alone in sounding out Cagliari over the summer.

Although that approach was rebuffed, it’s thought the Italian outfit would be unable to resist an offer in the region of £30m – or even more if Arsenal put their money where their mouth is.

Lovren on Barca’s radar

Barcelona are thinking of trying to lure Dejan Lovren to the Camp Nou. Having leaked nine goals in their opening eight La Liga games this season, the Catalans are desperate to bolster their backline. Coach Ernesto Valverde has identified 29-year-old Lovren as an option.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Valverde must first convince the board that Lovren is the answer to the club’s defensive woes. Then there’s the question of prising the Croatian from Anfield where Klopp is likely to resist any efforts to tempt Lovren to Spain.

But the Daily Express says that the meteoric rise of England star Joe Gomez could persuade Klopp to part with Lovren, providing Barcelona table a serious bid.

Camp Nou bid for Firmino?

The Express says that while Barcelona are testing the Liverpool water for Lovren, they will also have a go at enticing Roberto Firmino from Anfield.

The Brazilian attacker has long been on their wishlist and Barca are quietly confident that he could follow the same route as his compatriot Philippe Coutinho.