Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas could be set to leave the club in the January transfer window.

The Spaniard was a key player under Antonio Conte last season but has found his game time reduced following the arrival of Maurizio Sarri. Fabregas has less than one year remaining on his current contract and talks are yet to begin over extending his stay at Stamford Bridge. AC Milan are reportedly interested in bringing the former Barcelona man to the San Siro when the window reopens.

Should Fabregas depart, Sarri should look to sign another centre midfielder. The Blues were linked with Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey during the summer, and the Welshman looks set to leave after Arsenal cancelled contract negotiations. However, Chelsea should be targeting Cagliari wonderkid, Nico Barella, instead.

Valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, Barella is one of the most promising talents emerging from Italy. The 21-year-old now enjoys a prominent role in the first-team after graduating from the club’s youth academy. The Italian made 34 appearances in the Serie A last season, scoring six goals and has featured in all seven games in the new season.

Barella is a box-to-box midfielder who would suit Sarri’s system to a tee – alongside N’Golo Kante and Jorginho – Chelsea would have one of the best midfield in the league. Despite his young age, Barella excels defensively, averaging 2.7 tackles and 1.4 interceptions per game last season; he would add even more protection to the Chelsea back four (WhoScored).

Under Sarri’s tutelage, Barella could blossom into one of the world’s best.

Chelsea fans, thoughts?