The Cagliari midfielder would be an excellent addition for Tottenham Hotspur.
According to a report from Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato, Cagliari could be forced to sell Nicolo Barella this summer for around €45 million (£39 million), and Tottenham should not hesitate to bring the midfielder to north London.
The 22-year-old is an orthodox central midfielder by trade, and he possesses many of the attributes that Dembele had in his locker.
Spurs have really missed the Belgian since he made his January move to China, and Mauricio Pochettino will surely be looking to plug that gap in the summer.
Barella would be just the ticket for Tottenham. He is cool and composed when in possession, has a fantastic engine, and his range of passing can be matched by few.
The Italian is also at an age where he can be developed even further still into a real superstar under the guidance of Pochettino.
What makes Barella so appealing, however, is the manner in which he can link up play between defence and attack – something that Spurs have really missed in the middle of the park since Dembele’s exit.
And according to Calcio Mercato, the 22-year-old will be available this summer for just £39 million – a fee that would have to be considered as excellent value for money in today’s market.
Tottenham were linked with a move for Barella last year, according to the Sun, so Pochetitno is obviously a big fan of the midfielder.
The midfielder has been dubbed the new Steven Gerrard by the Sun, and should Pochettino bring him to Spurs this summer, it could turn out to be a signing of real significance for the north London outfit.
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