How Napoli missed out on signing Chelsea target Nicolo Barella
Il Mattino state that it was Napoli who opened the bidding war for the midfielder, as Liverpool and Inter Milan too joined the race for him. While the nerazzurri held initial talks for him with Cagliari, Liverpool hadn't held any talks.
It is said that Cristiano Guintoli approached Cagliari with an offer of about 32 million euros around this past October, but it was firmly rejected as Barella was told to be worth more than what they were offering.
Guintoli and Napoli didn't give up though, as talks with the player's agent were held during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League game against the partenopei at Anfield.
Cagliari then waited for clubs to offer them the money they were looking for, as Napoli's approach wasn't good enough for them consider. Chelsea began to be linked with the player just some days ago.
It is a case of outbidding everyone else, as the Blues look set to offer 55 million euros for the signing of the Italian national team starlet, pricing out both Napoli and Inter.
For more transfer news and updates, click here