Inter Milan are keen to speak with the agent of Nicolo Barella to discuss a new contract and pay rise for the Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Premier League rivals have already shown their interest in a summer transfer for the Italy playmaker. But Inter have no interest in Barella leaving, as they view the 24-year-old as the captain of the Nerazzurri’s future.
Simone Inzaghi’s side would demand a sensational offer to change their mind and warm to a departure. And while Inter have time on their hands, the Serie A champions want to show Barella how much they value him by tabling a new contract that better reflects his standing.
Barella currently earns just €2.5m-a-year (£41k-p/w) at Inter, which San Siro chiefs accept must be corrected. The Nerazzurri believe it is necessary to work on new terms despite his current deal still having three years remaining.
Inter Milan’s intentions to award Barella a new contract will come as a blow to Arsenal and Liverpool. Both have expressed their interest in the central midfielder this summer, with the Reds even readying an offer. La Repubblica claim the Anfield side are willing to pay £60m.
Carlo Ancelotti also asked Real Madrid President Florentino Perez to challenge for Barella, per Gazzetta dello Sport. But Los Blancos are one of his many suitors, alongside rivals Atletico Madrid plus Bayern Munich, who are also open to paying €70m (£60m).
Arsenal or Liverpool can sign a superb player in Inter maestro Barella
While Inter Milan hope to tie Barella down with a new contract, Arsenal and Liverpool can sign a superb player in the Italian maestro. Sure, he would not come cheap, but the 29-cap Euro 2020 winner has great quality for a player his age.
He also controls the engine room magnificently and can rise to even the biggest occasions. Lothar Matthaus feels so strongly about Barella’s ability that he claimed in March, via Goal, he’s better than Marco Verratti.
“In the Italian team, [Verratti] has never really delivered large-scale performances in a major competition,” Matthaus said. “While a player like Nicolo Barella has shown the extent of his talent with high-level performances over time.
“I place Verratti roughly at the same rank as Frenkie De Jong, Marcel Sabitzer and Denis Zakaria. But a notch below Ilkay Gundogan, Nicolo Barella, Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich. At the moment, Gundogan’s level of play at Manchester City is exceptional, like Kimmich at Bayern Munich and Nicolo Barella at Inter.”
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