Nicolo Barella could cost any interested party over €50 million, Cagliari president Tomasso Giulini has stated when quizzed on the youngsters future in Sardinia.
“Barella was never close to leaving the club in January,” Giulini explained in an interview with Corriere dello Sport.
“I cannot deny that there was concrete interest from Napoli in January. Maurizio Sarri also wanted him at Chelsea. As for Inter, that was just a chat, nothing more.
Asked if he would accept €45-50 million for the Italian international he replied: “Maybe it’ll take more, seeing as next year it is his beloved Cagliari’s Centenary.
“I don’t know what his future holds, but he is a player who can grow a great deal more. We hope he can continue to do that while wearing our jersey.”
He concluded the interview by discussing the comparison to Radja Nainggolan.
“It’s banal to make the comparison, but he does remind me of Radja Nainggolan, even if Nicolò is more technically-gifted than Radja.”
