Man Utd ‘maxi-offer’ for €80m Liverpool target hard to say no to after ‘interested phone calls’

A ‘maxi-offer’ from Manchester United would be hard to say no to for Inter Milan after the Red Devils made ‘interested phone calls’ over the transfer of Liverpool and Newcastle target Nicolo Barella.

It was claimed back in April that Jurgen Klopp wanted to sign both Barella and Alexis Mac Allister as the cogs in his Liverpool ‘revolution’ this summer.

Mac Allister joined for a bargain fee but interest in Barella has since cooled, with Newcastle more recently tipped to sign the Italy international, while Chelsea asked Inter about the possibility of the midfielder being included in a deal that would see Romelu Lukaku’s loan move made permanent.

Newcastle have been ‘pushing hard’ to complete a deal that was described as ‘reachable’ by the Telegraph, who claimed that ‘intensive talks had taken place’ with the Magpies prepared to make Barella their ‘highest earner’.

But Gazetta dello Sport (Sport Witness) now claim United have entered the fray, and are seen as a ‘far more attractive’ prospect than Newcastle, presumably by Barella himself, though that’s not made clear.

The report adds that ‘interested phone calls’ have been made by United to Inter Milan and although ‘everything is silent’ with regard to the Serie A giants, the ears of Barella’s agent, Alessandro Beltrami ‘inevitably pricked towards the Premier League’.

Previous reports have suggested Inter deem the 26-year-old non-transferable but they could be forced into a sale if a mammoth bid arrives.

The club’s ‘rigid self-financing regime’ means ‘English maxi-offers’ would be hard to say no to, and the report claims an offer of over €80m could be enough to enter negotiations with Inter.

Erik ten Hag’s priority at Man Utd remains a striker and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided a ‘significant update’ in their bid to land Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta.

Romano wrote: “As I’ve mentioned a few times, Manchester United have been showing an interest in Rasmus Hojlund, and now there’s been a significant update.

“I’m told that Manchester United have now had direct contact with Atalanta over the potential signing of Hojlund. They believe personal terms will not be a problem, the feeling is very positive as Hojlund wants the move to Old Trafford.

“The important thing now is Atalanta’s demands on the price tag – they have set a starting price of €60m, but it’s possibly now risen to €70m so it could be complicated.

“Still, United have made him a concrete target as he’s really appreciated by Erik ten Hag – it’s not advanced yet, but the interest is strong, so let’s see how things develop.”

READ MORE: Liverpool star Klopp loves, shock Man Utd target among ten players available a year after joining