Inter are stepping up their pursuit of Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella after planning talks with his agent, claims Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Serie A giants are expected to be one of the busiest Italian clubs in the transfer market following Antonio Conte’s arrival.
Barella has been tipped as the future of the Italian national team and was heavily linked with a January move to Chelsea.
Maurizio Sarri wanted the Cagliari starlet to replace Cesc Fabregas, who joined Monaco, but Chelsea could not get a deal over the line.
With Sarri expected to leave Chelsea, their interest has understandably diminished since then and now Inter are in pole position for his signature.
Inter are due for talks with Barella’s agent, Alessandro Beltrami, to thrash out personal terms, though they still remain a way off an agreement with Cagliari.
The 22-year-old scored just one league goal from 54 shots last season, boasting the worst conversion rate in Serie A (1.9%).
