Maurizio Sarri faces battle to sign Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella

Chelsea have been targeting Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella for Chelsea this month. The Blues manager is set to bring in the 21-year-old to replace Cesc Fabregas who has agreed a deal to join Monaco. But Chelsea’s hierarchy are at odds with Sarri as they have concerns regarding the cost of the move with Cagliari demanding a €50 million (£45m) transfer fee. Sarri’s chances of persuading Barella to join Chelsea are also reduced as the midfielder’s wife is currently pregnant with their second child and would prefer to remain in Italy, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Sarri has insisted that Chelsea must sign a replacement if Fabregas is to leave before the end of the January transfer window, however, Chelsea are keeping tabs on the player.

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