Inter sign Barella in €50m deal

 

Inter have signed Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella on a season-long loan deal with obligation to make his switch permanent next summer.

 

The Serie A outfit have paid a €12m fee to sign Barella on loan and will pay a further €25m in 12 months when they sign the Italy international on a full-time basis.

 

Including bonuses, Inter could end up paying as much as €50m for the 22-year-old, who has emerged as one of the brightest young midfielders in Europe over the last year.

 

Barella, who has signed a five-year deal with Inter from next summer, has already established himself as a key player for the Italian national team under Roberto Mancini and was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in January.

 

Serie A outfit Roma were keen on signing Barella this summer but he only had eyes on a move to Inter.

 

Inter are making sweeping changes to their squad ahead of the next season after transfer listing both Radja Nainggolan and Mauro Icardi.

 

Conte’s side have already made a number of eye-catching acquisitions, including Diego Godin and Stefano Sensi, and are also pursuing Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.

 

 

Barella ranked in the top 10 for most minutes played by players aged 23 and under in Europe’s top five leagues last season.

 

Furthermore, he made more tackles than any other player aged 23 and under in Serie A last season (99).