Cagliari have made it clear they will only accept a £50m bid for rising Italian prospect Nicolo Barella this month, claims The Daily Mirror.
Chelsea are on the market for a new central midfielder after selling Cesc Fabregas to Monaco earlier in the window.
Maurizio Sarri’s side have been heavily linked with a move for a number of midfielders, including Barella.
Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes has also been tipped to join Chelsea but it has now been revealed the Argentina international has agreed a deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
With time running out in the January transfer window, Cagliari have now told Sarri’s side they will have to pay £50m for Barella or look elsewhere for a new midfielder.
Cagliari are desperate to hold on to the Italy international until the end of the season but £50m would be enough to secure his services this month, with Napoli and Inter also keen on the 21-year-old.
Barella has emerged as one of the most highly rated Italian’s in European football this season and is now considered first choice for the national team.
Of players aged 23 and under in Serie A this season, Barella has completed at least eight more tackles than any other player (56).
