Manchester City may be gearing up for a big January move, with Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella reportedly on their radar.
Rodri is sidelined due to a season-ending knee injury and Pep Guardiola’s specialist options in holding midfield have been left thin.
Now, the club could be ready to splash the cash to bring in a top-quality replacement — and Barella seems to fit the bill.
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How much Man City need to pay for Barella?
City fans hoping to see the Italian midfielder in blue should know he will not come cheap! Reports (via Football Insider) suggest that Inter Milan would demand at least £70 million ($93m) to let Barella go.
The 27-year-old star, who is under contract until 2029, is a key figure for the Serie A giants and isn’t expected to leave easily. However, with City’s shrewd transfer dealings, they could still comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations even with a big signing in January.
Although Guardiola has options like Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Rico Lewis, John Stones, and Matheus Nunes, none quite offer the same profile as Barella — a Euro 2020 winner known for his tireless energy and creativity.
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Is Barella worth the big bucks?
Inter Milan may not be having their best season so far, sitting two points behind Serie A leaders Napoli, but Barella has been a standout player.
Though he’s missed a couple of games this season, his performances when available show why he’s valued so highly. City fans know all too well how Guardiola likes to control the midfield, and Barella’s combination of defensive grit and attacking flair makes him a tantalizing option.
