Cagliari (Italy) (AFP) – Sought-after Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella has extended his contract with the Serie A side until 2022, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old, who received his first call-up to the Italian national team last October, had been linked with top Serie A clubs Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan.
But he opted to stay with his hometown club and extended his current deal by two years.
Barella made his Serie A debut aged 17, and has played 57 times for the first team, this season scoring his first goal in a 2-0 win over SPAL.
Playing for Italy’s U20 side he finished runner-up in the 2016 European Championships in Germany, and third in the World Cup in South Korea this year.
Cagliari — sitting five points above the relegation zone — host champions Juventus in Serie A action this weekend.
200+ Channels & Local Sports
- Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino)
- Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers
Every MLS Match in One Place
- Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription)
- Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo)
- Features LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup & NWSL
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
- Price: Starting at $8.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League
Home of the Premier League
- Price: Starting at $10.99/mo
- 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season