Revealed – Why Italy Superstar Chose To Join Inter Milan Over Roma In 2019

Nicolo Barella comes into this evening’s Serie A match at the Stadio Olimpico as an Inter Milan player, having rejected Roma in 2019.

Today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, highlight the reasons for the Italian international’s decision five years ago.

It has become hard to picture midfielder Barella wearing any shirt other than Inter’s.

The 27-year-old is now in his fifth season as a Nerazzurri player.

Barella has won the Serie A title with Inter. He has also won the Coppa Italia twice and the Supercoppa Italiana on three occasions.

Inter also reached the Europa League final in Barella’s first season at the club – and then the Champions League final in his fourth.

Barella has made 217 appearances for the Nerazzurri across all competitions. He has scored 22 goals for the club.

It seems clear that Barella would have no regrets regarding his choice in 2019.

But it could have all been quite different.

Why Nicolo Barella Chose Inter Over Roma In 2019

Barella was hot property in the summer of 2019.

Few Italian midfielders have had the kind of cachet that Barella had on the transfer market after a couple outstanding seasons with his boyhood club Cagliari.

There was interest in the Italian both domestically and from abroad. But there was always a sense that he would stay within Serie A.

And Inter wanted Barella as a key piece of their midfield rebuild under coach Antonio Conte.

So the Nerazzurri pushed hard to sign the then-22-year-old.

Inter negotiated with Cagliari throughout the summer of 2019. But despite the Nerazzurri’s insistence, the talks had stalled for a time.

This led to a window for other clubs to try and swoop in and beat Inter to Barella’s signature.

Roma did just that. They made an offer which the Rossoblu would have been willing to accept.

But in the end, it was the player who rejected the Giallorossi.

The reason for Barella’s decision was that he had already made his mind up on his future. He only wanted Inter.

That meant that Barella had no intention of signing for Roma.

The Italian international was willing to wait for Inter to get a deal over the line with Cagliari. He was a longtime Nerazzurri fan and sensed the opportunity to win trophies and leave a real legacy at the San Siro.