Darijo Srna has hailed the potential of Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella.

The pair played together at Cagliari.

Srna said, “Nicolò is a great guy, a wonderful player and has a strong personality, which is very important in life. When we were sitting down to lunch together, I told him the time had come to leave Cagliari.

“He had climbed up a level and if he wanted to keep growing as a player and a person, he had to join a top club. Inter are helping to showcase his talent and in a couple of years Barella will become one of the best midfielders on the international stage.

“I am still in contact with Barella, Valter Birsa and Fabio Pisacane from that Cagliari squad."