Manchester United join Liverpool in €40m six-team scrap for Serie A star

According to Football Italia, Manchester United are the latest side to have expressed an interest in Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella.

The 21-year-old is believed to be being courted by Italy’s biggest clubs, including Juventus, Roma and both Milan outfits, while Liverpool have also been linked with a move for the youngster, ratedat €40m.

Barella has already been called up to the senior national team but is yet to earn his first cap, though it is thought that it won’t be a long time coming for one of the country’s hottest prospects.

Whether or not the midfielder will be in his homeland much longer is unclear given United's reported interest, having stated that a move to England would be his preference in the past.

In an interview with Gazzetta hello Sport (via Football Italia), Barella stated: “Cagliari received offers and turned them down. I am happy to have remained with the club I support.

“If I had to choose between Serie A and the Premier League, I’d go for England, because I like the way they approach the game. Plus everyone there is just as irritable and prone to fouls as me!”

The Cagliari star netted the winning goal at Atalanta last month from distance and has scored seven league goals for his boyhood club since the start of last season, and is strong defensively too, averaging 2.8 tackles per 90 since the club’s return to the top-flight in 2016.