Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella is one of the most valuable midfielders in the world according to Transfermarkt, but his recent form has cast doubt on whether this is truly the case any longer.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who contend that Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup this year could lower the value of many of their top stars.
At his best, it is not difficult to see why Barella would be valued at a hefty €70 million price tag, with the 25-year-old a well-rounded box-to-box midfield who can contribute decisively in all phases of play.
Barella showed his best to help the Nerazzurri to the Scudetto last campaign, and to play a key role in the Italian national team’s triumph at the Euros last summer.
However, he has looked somewhat tired and sluggish for his club in recent weeks, whilst he was among the underperformers as the Azzurri were handed a shock 1-0 defeat by North Macedonia in a World Cup qualifying playoff.
When Barella is fully firing there is no doubt about the value he would have to virtually any team, but the iteration of him that was on display against North Macedonia did not look like a player who would fetch a high price in the transfer market.
