Liverpool Plot £131 Million Midfield Reset Following Underwhelming Season Despite Record Summer Spending

Liverpool plan a 'full reset' in midfield with potential deals for Nicolò Barella and Morgan Gibbs-White as Arne Slot looks to overhaul his underperforming squad.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 6:32 AM EDT

The Failure of a Record-Breaking Summer Expenditure

Expectations were high at Anfield following a summer transfer window that saw Liverpool commit over £400 million to new talent. The arrivals of marquee players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike were intended to solidify the club's dominance after their recent Premier League title win. However, these high-profile signings have largely failed to integrate into Arne Slot’s tactical system, leaving the team languishing in sixth place. This lack of impact has forced the recruitment team to reconsider their strategy, moving away from luxury attacking reinforcements toward a fundamental reconstruction of the team's core.

Identifying Nicolò Barella as the New Midfield Anchor

To address the underperformance of established starters like Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool have reportedly turned their attention to Inter Milan’s Nicolò Barella. According to a "trusted source" representing five elite reporters, the Italian international is viewed as the ideal candidate to spearhead a "full reset" in the middle of the park. Inter Milan is expected to demand approximately €70 million (£61 million) for the midfielder, who has consistently been one of Europe’s top performers. Barella’s work rate and technical proficiency are seen as the missing ingredients needed to restore the energy and control that defined Liverpool’s championship-winning midfield last season.

Pursuing Morgan Gibbs-White for Domestic Creativity

Complementing the interest in Barella is a targeted move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The creative midfielder has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective playmakers, and Liverpool appears ready to meet Forest’s reported £70 million valuation. However, this price point could be subject to significant negotiation if Nottingham Forest faces relegation at the end of the current campaign. Integrating a home-grown talent like Gibbs-White would not only add fresh creative impetus but also assist the club in meeting mandatory registration quotas for domestic players.