Azerbaijan
Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria
Saudi Arabia
South Africa

Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United 'failed with Nicolo Barella approaches'

sportsmole.co.uk, 11 September 2023, 11:44
Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United reportedly all saw approaches for Inter Milan midfielder knocked back during the summer transfer window.

Despite establishing himself as one of the Nerazzurri's most integral players over the past couple of years, Barella's future at San Siro has often been a subject of debate.

The Italy international - who also shone during the Azzurri's run to Euro 2020 glory - most recently extended his Inter deal in 2021, and those terms are due to run out in just under three years time.

However, owing to his eye-catching record of 20 goals and 44 assists in 190 games for Inter, a transfer to the Premier League has been mooted for Barella for some time.

According to CaughtOffside, all of Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle tried their luck at a deal for Barella this summer, but each member of the English trio failed to prise him away from San Siro.

Inter reinforced their midfield with a trio of notable signings in the summer window, bringing in Davy Klaassen and Kristjan Asllani on permanent deals, while taking Davide Frattesi on an initial loan from Sassuolo.

Inzaghi's side were also pushing to sign Lazar Samardzic from Udinese before a deal collapsed, but the report adds that the Nerazzurri will likely try again for the Serbian's signature in January.

Should Inter manage to wrap up a deal for Samardzic at the second time of asking, the Nerazzurri could supposedly be open to cashing in on Barella in 2024, and there is a growing feeling that he will end up in the Premier League.

However, the Italian giants are supposedly still prepared to demand around £77m to let Barella leave next year, which may prove problematic for the interested trio given their respective summer outlays.

After conceding defeat to Real Madrid in the race for Jude Bellingham, Liverpool brought in a quartet of new midfielders in Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai, but Thiago Alcantara sis expected to depart in 2024.

Meanwhile, Chelsea stole Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia from under the Reds' noses, as well as continuing their youthful recruitment drive with the addition of Lesley Ugochukwu and Cole Palmer from Rennes and Manchester City respectively.

Newcastle did dip into the Serie A market to bolster their engine room, but the Magpies instead did business with Inter's San Siro rivals AC Milan to bring Sandro Tonali to St James' Park.

Despite the increased competition for minutes, Barella has started all three of Inter's opening 2023-24 Serie A games with Monza, Cagliari - whom he used to play for - and Fiorentina, which the Nerazzurri took a maximum nine points from.

Barella also played his part in helping Inter keep three clean sheets, but he was hooked before the hour mark against Fiorentina on September 3, having been booked on the stroke of half time.

The 26-year-old has won one Serie A title, two Coppa Italias and two Supercoppa Italianas with Inter, as well as starting 12 successive Champions League games during their run to the final last term.

Top News

1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk DC United vs. Toronto (Sunday, 12.30am) Seeking their first-ever victory at Audi Field, Toronto will end their two-game MLS road trip with a visit to the US capital to face DC United on Saturday. 1 June 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gremio vs. Bragantino (Saturday, 8.00pm) Bragantino travel to Porto Alegre to face Gremio at the Estadio Couto Pereira for a Brasileiro battle on Saturday. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Rodrygo remains "very important" to Real Madrid amid interest from Manchester City and Liverpool. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will reportedly unveil Kylian Mbappe as their first summer signing on Monday. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk KRC Genk are set to host KAA Gent at the Cegeka Arena in Belgium's Pro League on Sunday, and the winner will qualify for the Europa Conference League. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly prepared to cool their interest in Napoli forward Victor Osimhen. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia Under-17s and Portugal Under-17s will go head-to-head in Sunday's European Under-17 Championship semi-final. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo has opened the door to a summer departure, amid interest from Liverpool. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Vasco da Gama will resume their Brasileiro campaign when they host Flamengo at the Maracana on Sunday evening. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk After winning a record fourth successive Premier League title in 2023-24, Manchester City are expected to be active in the summer transfer window as they endeavour to retain their crown and compete for other domestic and continental trophies in the new campaign. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A place in the European Under-17 Championship final will be on the line when Denmark Under-17s face Italy Under-17s on Monday. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England Women's bid to automatically qualify for Euro 2025 suffered a painful setback as France Women came from behind to win 2-1 at St James' Park in League A Group 3. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace seemed to hit a bit of a rut towards the end of Roy Hodgson's reign and they were in danger of slipping into the relegation picture following a run of just three wins in 17 Premier League games. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Thibaut Courtois will start in goal for Saturday's Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk KFUM-Kameratene Oslo are set to host last-placed Sandefjord at the KFUM Arena on Sunday in Norway's Eliteserien. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli-bound Antonio Conte is reportedly interested in a reunion with Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk FK Haugesund are set to host league-leaders Bodo/Glimt at the Haugesund Stadion on Sunday in Norway's Eliteserien. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Putting the full stop on Serie A's 2023-24 season, Atalanta BC and Fiorentina meet on Sunday evening, to finally fulfil a much-delayed fixture. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A Real Madrid side on the hunt for their 15th European Cup/Champions League title square off with one-time winners Borussia Dortmund in the final of the 2023-24 edition at Wembley on Saturday night. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lyon, Marseille and Besiktas are all reportedly interested in signing departing Manchester United forward Anthony Martial. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Days after stunning Inter Miami, Atlanta United host Charlotte FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday on their return to MLS action. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Hanging on to their top-flight status by a thread, Portimonense must overturn a first-leg deficit if they are to defeat newcomers AVS in the Primeira Liga's promotion/relegation playoff. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Battling for the bragging rights of Stockholm, city rivals Djurgardens IF and Hammarby will clash at Tele2 Arena for an all-important Swedish Allsvenskan match on Sunday afternoon. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Gamweek seven in Brasileiro will see two in-form sides face off, with Sao Paulo playing host to Cruzeiro at MorumBIS on Sunday night. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Criciuma will look to continue their positive start to the Brasileiro season when they take on Palmeiras at Estadio Heriberto Hulse on Sunday night. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Indonesia host Tanzania in an international friendly match on Sunday at the Madya Stadium. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two more Liverpool players have reportedly been added to the Saudi Pro League's transfer shortlist for the summer of 2025. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly plotting an ambitious swoop for one of Carlo Ancelotti's integral Real Madrid players this summer. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly reached a full agreement with their incoming head coach, who will take charge of the West London giants on a five-year contract. 31 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to break into the top three of the Swedish Allsvenskan table, Mjallby AIF will travel to Finnvedsvallen to take on Varnamo on Sunday.