Inter Milan are desperate to keep reported Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham target Nicolo Barella and are set to hand the Italy international the captain’s armband, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.
Antonio Conte’s midfield marvel is the definition of ‘captain’s material’.
The driving force of Inter’s Scudetto charge, Barella has been an inspirational presence at the heart of the team, snapping into tackles, dictating the tempo and producing moments of sheer, world-class technical ability – see the backheel assist against Real Madrid and that brilliant goal against Juventus.
In fact, former Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti isn’t the only person to compare Barella with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently.
Unsurprisingly, the former Cagliari star has quite a few admirers these days.
Calciomercato reports Tottenham are interested, as are Arsenal and a Liverpool side that has looked decidedly leggy in the middle of the park during a hugely disappointing run of form (FC Inter News).
And Inter, desperate to avoid Barella’s head being turned, are on the charm offensive as they look to tie their key cog down to a new, long-term contract.
Gazzetta dello Sport claims Barella has even been lined up to replace veteran goalkeeper Samir Handanovic as captain. The 36-year-old shot-stopper is out of contract in 2022.
FC Inter News, meanwhile, reports Barella will be offered a new deal, complete with a substantial rise on his current £40,000-a-week wage.
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