Manchester City are reportedly targeting Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella in the transfer window, and he has already drawn praise across Europe.
The 26-year-old helped Inter reach the Champions League final against City, and has been an impressive performer for both club and country over the years, having also won Serie A and the European Championships with Italy.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly considering Barella as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan, who left for Barcelona, and he could be a top-class addition to the treble-winners.
Speaking on CBS Sports a few months ago, Jamie Carragher highlighted how Barella was one of the best midfielders in Europe, and highlighted his goal threat from the middle of the park.
“When you think about how teams set up now, you see Inter play with a back three with five in midfield, or a 4-3-3, and I think he’s probably one of the best in Europe playing in that tucked in, right sided central midfield position. He’s box-to-box, he gets goals from there. We saw how outstanding he was for his national team in winning the European Championships,”
“He’s that player who can open things up, he gets in there, but that inside right position now is so important in football and can you make runs from that position? He makes runs ahead of the striker. And he’s a huge goal threat.
How would Barella fit in at City?
The Italian could be the ideal direct replacement for Gundogan, given his ability to score goals from deeper midfield positions, and given his experience in both a 4-3-3 as well as a back three, he could quickly adapt to Guardiola’s system.
Barella scored nine and assisted 10 times in all competitions last season, but whilst he matches up to Gundogan in terms of output, ball-carrying and even ball progression, he is much less of a volume passer than the German, but with Mateo Kovacic also joining, this is an issue that can be easily accounted for.
If a deal can be done to sign Barella, then he may arguably be the best option City can find right now to slot into midfield and help replace the incredible presence of Gundogan.
