Chelsea and Napoli both wanted to sign Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella in the January transfer window, according to the club's president, Tommaso Giulini.
However, the Serie A side were not interested in selling their Italy international despite interest from a number of clubs, Giulini told Corriere dello Sport (h/t Metro).
"Barella was never close to a January exit. I cannot deny that there was concrete interest from Napoli in January. Maurizio Sarri also wanted him at Chelsea. As for Inter, that was just a chat, nothing more."
The midfielder has risen through the youth ranks at Cagliari but made the breakthrough into the first team last season, going on to make 34 appearances for the Sardinian team.