Borussia Dortmund have joined the race to sign Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella, according to reports in Italy.

Liverpool, Inter Milan and AC Milan have been linked with the 21-year-old in recent weeks, but it has been reported that scouts from the Bundesliga club have been sent to watch the Italian Under 21 international in action.

Barella sparked speculation over his future recently by confirming he would prefer a move to the Premier League over staying in Serie A if he had a choice:

“Cagliari received offers and turned them down. I am happy to have remained with the club I support. If I had to choose between Serie A and the Premier League, I’d go for England, because I like the way they approach the game.”

The central midfielder has been a regular for Cagliari this season and has even captained the side in two league matches, in the draw against AC Milan earlier this month, and the stalemate against Sampdoria last night.

At the beginning of September, he scored the winning goal in the 1-0 triumph over Atalanta; a result which has proven to be his team’s only league win of the campaign so far.