Nicolò Barella rejected an offer from Roma to join Inter this summer, Cagliari’s sporting director Marcello Carli confirmed last night.

The 22-year-old was forced to wait for several weeks as the Nerazzurri struggled to reach an agreement with Tommaso Giulini.

But he eventually got his wish midway through July, despite Cagliari’s best attempts to send him to the capital instead.

Carli told Sportitalia: “Roma were interested in Barella and they tried to sign him too.

“For us it would have been great to sell him to them, but what mattered was the will of the player. Inter played their part as well.

“It was normal for Barella to leave this summer but he is still extremely attached to Cagliari. If we’re here now reinforcing our squad it’s thanks to him as well.

“I hope the fans will give him a good welcome when he returns.”

Barella will face Cagliari at the Sardegna Arena next Sunday when Conte’s side travel there for their second match of the new Serie A season.