Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella was one of the most sought-after midfielders in the just concluded January transfer window with a lot of major clubs interested in his services including Chelsea and Liverpool.
According to reports emanating from Italy, the young Italian international turned down a big money move to Chelsea before the end of the winter transfer window last month.
Italian media outlet Tutto Mercato Web claimed that the Blues agreed on a £44m move with his Italian Serie A club only for the player to reject the move to Stamford Bridge.
Earlier reports had claimed that Chelsea’s assistant manager Gianfranco Zola was pushing for the Nicolo Barella transfer to Chelsea to happen with the support of Blues boss Maurizio Sarri.
Chelsea were in pursuit of both Barella and newly signed Paris Saint Germain (PSG) midfielder Leandro Paredes but they missed out on the signing of both players.
Nicolo Barella stayed at Cagliari after turning down Chelsea, while Paredes joined French Ligue 1 giants PSG from Russian Premier League side Zenit St. Petersburg for a fee believed to be around £38m.
Chelsea were keen on signing at least one midfielder following the exit of Cesc Fabregas who joined Monaco during the second week of last month.
