Manchester United have reportedly held 'interested phone calls' with Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella as Erik ten Hag lines up another summer target.
The 26-year-old, part of the Italy squad that won Euro 2020, has been integral to the Serie A giants since signing from Cagliari in 2020. He's since helped 'I Nerazzurri' to a League title and two Coppa Italia wins, and started their Champions League final defeat to Man City this month.
In normal circumstances, Inter would inevitably be reluctant to sell one of their star players. However, the club are currently besieged by financial problems, leaving coach Simone Inzaghi with the prospect of losing some key men.
Newcastle and Liverpool have been linked with the player, but now the Red Devils have also come into the mix. And Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport have claimed that Barella is most likely to head to Old Trafford to link up with Erik ten Hag.
The report has also stated that "interested phone calls" have been made between the two parties. And despite Newcastle also securing Champions League football, the League Cup winners are seen as a "far more attractive" proposition.
Barella's representatives are yet to confirm any talks with other clubs, but agent Alessandro Beltrami is said to be favouring a move to the Premier League for his client. And Ten Hag's failure to land a world-class midfielder yet this summer is only likely to exacerbate the prospect.
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Long-time target Alexis Mac Allister has joined Liverpool, and negotiations over a deal for Mason Mount are seemingly stalling. An initial £40 million bid for the player has been rejected, with Chelsea's valuation of their England star seemingly considerably higher.
Despite the performances of Casemiro last season, the respective ages of the Brazilian and Christian Eriksen have led to Ten Hag considering long-term replacements. Donny van de Beek is also set to be offloaded this summer having struggled to make an impression at the club since joining three years ago.
However, the exact funds the Dutch manager will have to overhaul his squad remains up in the air, as the prolonged takeover saga at United continues. Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim is bidding for the club alongside Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
