Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella during next summer's transfer window, but they could face competition from bitter rivals Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola's side are believed to be eyeing the 27-year-old, who has scored 23 goals and registered 52 assists in 240 appearances for Inter since arriving from Cagliari in 2020.
However, according to Fichajes, Man United are also extremely keen, with the 20-time English champions ready to offer him a large salary to make the move to Old Trafford.
The report claims that the Red Devils would be willing to offer Barella wages of €10m (£8.4m) a season in order to convince him to make the switch to the club in the summer of 2025.
Man United head coach Erik ten Hag allegedly believes that the Italian is the ideal player to add greater control to his side moving forward, but it will be difficult to convince Inter to let him leave.
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Man United 'keen' on 2025 deal for Barella
The midfielder penned a contract extension with Inter over the summer and has another five years left to run on his deal, making it a very difficult transfer.
However, according to InterLive, a proposal of €80m (£66.9m) would be difficult to reject, with a transfer therefore not impossible during next summer's transfer window.
Barella has again been a vital player for Inter in the early stages of this season, making five appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and one assist in the process.
However, the Italian picked up a muscular injury in Inter's clash with AC Milan last time out, and he is now expected to be unavailable until after the October international break.
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Who would Barella replace at Man United?
Kobbie Mainoo is a vital part of Man United's plans both now and in the future, and Manuel Ugarte was signed in the latter stages of the transfer window from Paris Saint-Germain.
Bruno Fernandes penned a new contract over the summer, meanwhile, and he is the club captain, so a big decision would need to be made if Barella arrived at Old Trafford.
There is certainly a chance that Mainoo, Ugarte and Barella could play as the midfield three, with Fernandes moving into a wider position, but there have also been suggestions that the latter could leave Old Trafford sooner than expected despite only recently penning a new deal.
Man United's lack of midfield control has again been on display early in the season, and Barella is certainly a player capable of dictating the tempo from a deeper position.
There will be midfield exits next year, meanwhile, with Christian Eriksen unlikely to pen a new deal, and Casemiro expected to be on the move, with the Brazilian finding it difficult at Old Trafford after an impressive first season.
Matt Law
