After Lautaro Martinez, Inter have reached a long-term agreement with another of their stars. Nicolò Barella has added two more years to his deal, and he is now under contract until 2026. The midfielder has also received a sizeable pay bump and will earn €5M per year. The salary will further increase in the final seasons, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.
Sporting director Piero Ausilio had announced before the last Champions League that they were in very advanced talks with Barella. The Italian international, who was a key part of the Euro 2020 squad, joined the Nerazzurri in 2019 from Cagliari. Since then, he has collected 102 appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 27 assists. He was one of the top contributors to the Scudetto in the past campaign. He took home the award as best Serie A midfielder in 2020-2021.
Barella commented to the club’s site: “I am happy for renewing my contract and to keep fighting with these colors.” He could become the next captain should the club move on from Samir Handanovic next summer. The 24-year-old and the goalkeeper are the only two players that have started in every game so far.
Both Martinez and Barella almost doubled their wages with the extensions. Inter will now move on to thornier cases. Marcelo Brozovic has just a few months left on his contract, and the parties have been far apart in the talks. Ivan Perisic does not appear keen on re-upping, while Stefan De Vrij’s deal expires in 2023, and he is in high demand given the situation.