Inter Milan have reportedly reached a £44m agreement with Cagliari for the signing of in-demand midfielder Nicolo Barella.

The 21-year-old is believed to have been at the centre of a transfer tug of war between Inter and Premier League side Chelsea.

Barella, also previously touted as a target for Napoli, has spent four seasons in Cagliari's first team, making a total of 73 appearances in the Italian top flight.

Chelsea had been closing in on a move for the Italy international as a replacement for Cesc Fabregas, but Calciomercato suggests that Inter have got there first.

The Nerazzurri are said to be in the final stages of talks with Cagliari, who have given the player the green light to move on after bringing in Nahitan Nandez from Boca Juniors.

An initial £35m fee will be handed over for Barella this month, it is claimed, and the other £9m will be paid as and when various clauses are triggered.