Inter complete signing of Nicolo Barella from Cagliari

Nicolo Barella is on his way to Inter after the Nerazzurri announced his arrival from Cagliari on Friday.

The 22-year-old, who put pen to paper on a five-year contract, joins Inter on an initial season-long loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the 2019-20 season.

The transfer will reportedly cost Inter €45 million, making Barella the second-most expensive player in club history behind Christian Vieri's move from Lazio for an estimated €49 million in 1999.

Barella's reputation as a tough-tackling midfielder earned him a call-up to the Italy squad in 2017 before making his debut under manager Roberto Mancini in 2018.

He scored seven goals and provided six assists in 112 appearances after making his Cagliari debut in 2015.