Antonio Cassano has criticised Chelsea's reported interest in Cagliari's Nicola Barella and stated that the midfielder's price tag proves "football is going in a very wrong direction".
Barella is believed to be closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge after the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Monaco.
Many consider the 21-year-old to be one of Italy's brightest young prospects and it's been reported that he could cost the Blues as much as £45 million ($58m) this month.
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But iconic Italian forward Cassano, who retired last October, believes it would be "madness" for Chelsea to spend so much on Barella.