Reports in Italy claim Manchester United are close to reaching an agreement with Cagliari to sign young midfielder Nicolo Barella.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the brightest midfield talents in Serie A and it’s reported in Tuttosport that United have beaten Chelsea to the €58m (£50.5m) signing of the Azzurri star – with the deal set to go through in the summer window.
According to the report, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Barella as a star for the future and with the club likely to keep their powder dry in January, he will be one of two exciting new players brought in to the club this summer.
Chelsea were also keen on Barella as a replacement for Mateo Kovacic who is set to return to Real Madrid at the end of his loan, but it seems the Italian now has his heart set on Old Trafford.
And that won’t be where United’s summer spending ends, with reports in Holland also placing them as favourites to land PSV winger Steven Bergwijn.
The Dutch giants are adamant the 21-year-old won’t be allowed to leave mid-season, but won’t block his exit in the summer with a £25m (€28.8m) deal enough to tempt them to sell.
Bayern Munich are also keen, but like Barella, it seems the player has his heart set on Old Trafford.