Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali has explained how Barcelona wanted to sign Stefano Sensi in the summer, but Inter Milan “were quicker”.
Sensi, 24, completed a season-long loan move to Inter in July, with Antonio Conte’s side able to make his temporary switch a permanent one next summer.
Could Barca have signed Sensi? Five things to know…
- Sensi was the subject of interest over the summer following a fine campaign with Sassuolo.
- Sassuolo chief Carnevali found out about Barca’s interest in 2018 when he was negotiating a deal for Marlon.
- Carnevali was asked about the availability of Sensi before signing centre-back Marlon.
- However, Inter moved to sign Sensi in the summer, initially on loan with an option to buy.
- The Italian has so far been instrumental for Conte as Inter sit second in Serie A.
The diminutive midfielder has all the attributes of a Barcelona player, with his slight build and playmaking ability fitting the Blaugrana mould to a T.
As such, Ernesto Valverde sought to acquire his services but, according to Sassuolo chief Carnevali, the Nerazzurri pounced first and wrapped up the deal.
“When I was in Barcelona for the Marlon negotiations, one of the Barcelona executives asked me about Sensi,” he told Corriere dello Sport.
“They knew about him and kept tabs on him too, but Inter were quicker. We closed the deal on a Friday, after a brief meeting at the Nerazzurri’s offices, which was also attended by Conte.
“On the following Monday, I would’ve had an important appointment with a foreign club…”
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Sensi’s season so far
Inter Milan have made a blistering start to the campaign under Conte, so far sitting second in Serie A having won six of their seven games – losing only to Juventus.
Sensi has been integral to that run, with the Italy international starting every match bar one, in which he came on as a substitute.
So far the 5’6″ playmaker has scored three league goals and registered two assists, while he has also created more chances than any Inter player this term (13).
No Inter player as created more big chances than Sensi’s two so far this season, while the Urbino-born midfielder has also registered the second-most passes ending in the final third (132).
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