Inter’s chief executive Beppe Marotta may have met Cagliari owner Tommaso Giulini today for more talks over Nicolo Barella, according to Corriere dello Sport.
Marotta, Giulini and Roma CEO Guido Fienga were all present at the Lega Calcio’s headquarters as the race to sign the midfielder intensifies.
Barella wants to join Inter and has an agreement with the Nerazzurri, but Roma have a deal with Cagliari and will look to convince the player to change his mind.
Inter have offered €36 million plus €4 million in add-ons and do not want to get involved in a bidding war with the Giallorossi.
Marotta is willing to include a loan deal for Federico Dimarco as part of their agreement for Barella, but he will not offer any young player on a permanent deal.
At most Inter will add another €2-3 million to the add-ons they are offering, confident the Italian’s desire to join them will make the difference.
Giulini has remained loyal to his €50 million asking price from the start of negotiations and is prepared to keep the 22-year-old for another reason if he rejects Roma’s advances.
Inter and Cagliari are not on good terms after the last few weeks of talks and Marotta has begun studying alternative options, with Lorenzo Pellegrini among those.
Pellegrini wants to stay at Roma but Piero Ausilio has other names to pursue as well.