After snapping-up Casemiro and Christian Eriksen last summer, United are poised to strengthen up the engine room, yet again, in time for next season. Manchester Evening News understands Erik ten Hag wants to bring in two major signings with one of those being another top-level central midfielder.
England internationals Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice will come into the reckoning, depending on fees and interest from other elite European clubs, but reports from Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport have picked out Barella as a potential alternative. It is thought Inter would be willing to do business for 70million.
Football Insider have followed-up those suggestions by claiming that Ten Hag “admires” the Italy international as he considers his future with the Serie A giants. Barella, 26, has three years left to run on his contract at Inter, having joined them for 32.5million from Cagliari in 2020.
Barella has played 32 matches in all competitions this season while contributing six goals and seven assists. He has earned 42 caps for Italy and was part of their triumphant Euro 2020 squad.
Manchester City and Liverpool are also thought to be monitoring him.
Elsewhere, reports from Calciomercato indicate Juventus will come calling for Marcel Sabitzer when he heads back to Bayern Munich from Old Trafford. United sanctioned a loan move for the 28-year-old Austria midfielder on January deadline day after it was confirmed Eriksen would miss three months with an ankle injury.
As things stand, there is no option or obligation for United to buy Sabitzer permanently. It means Juventus are open to taking advantage while holding firm interest in the 16million-valued loanee.
