Roma have already begun looking for alternatives to Nicolò Barella after the midfielder confirmed his desire to join Inter, according to Il Tempo.

Cagliari owner Tommaso Giulini prefers the Giallorossi’s offer of €35 million plus Gregoire Defrel to what Inter have offered so far.

Roma know it will be ‘very difficult’ to change Barella’s mind, though, with the 22-year-old committed to signing for the Nerazzurri.

“Inter remain in front thanks to Antonio Conte’s tireless work on the player, who has been won over by Inter’s future plans,” the Rome-based publication reported today.

“Barella and his agent Alessandro Beltrami have told Roma sporting director Gianluca Petrachi they intend to respect the promise they made to Beppe Marotta – and it’s not about money, because Roma’s offer was better than Inter’s.”

Barella ‘virtually feels like an Inter player’ and would have to change his mind for the situation to change, although Cagliari remain unsatisfied by Inter’s offer.