Barcelona Transfer News: Alessio Romagnoli Bid Rejected, Juan Cuadrado Rumours

Barcelona have been rebuffed in their pursuit of AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli after the Italian outfit reportedly rejected a €30 million (£23.3 million) bid for their star. The Catalans are also understood to be interested in Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado.

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport reported manager Luis Enrique's side submitted a big-money offer for Romagnoli, but Milan are unable to do business until their takeover by a Chinese conglomerate is completed (h/t Football Italia).

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Corriere dello Sport also reported in April that Evergrande Real Estate Group had reached an agreement to purchase the Serie A titans for a sum of between €700-720 million (h/t ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell).

Romagnoli holds a reputation as one of the best defensive prospects in Serie A after his first season at the San Siro, football writer Adam Digby hailing him as "the future" of Italy's national team:

Barcelona are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements this summer after Catalan daily Sport reported Javier Mascherano has agreed a deal to join Juventus, with Dani Alves also set to sign for the Serie A champions (h/t MailOnline's Nicholas Godden).

Romagnoli, 21, moved to Milan last summer from Serie A rivals AS Roma, and despite the Rossoneri finishing seventh in the league, WhoScored.com pointed to the youngster as one of their most impressive stars:

Milan will also be looking to squeeze as much as they can out of any Romagnoli sale considering Roma are entitled to 15 per cent of any future transfer fee, per the Corriere dello Sport report (h/t Football Italia).

The Anzio native has yet to make his full international debut. Roma writer Julian De Martinis was left puzzled as to why the centre-back failed to make Italy's Euro 2016 squad:

"

Also don't get Ogbonna over Rugani, in the slightest. Or no Romagnoli. Or no Jorginho. Or any of the forwards bar Insigne.

— Julian De Martinis (@JulianDM11) May 31, 2016"

Meanwhile, the Blaugrana will look to another player formerly based in Serie A in an attempt to boost their attacking options this summer, eyeing up a deal for Chelsea's Cuadrado.

Spanish website Fichajes reported the Colombian is on Barca's radar despite his failure to fit in at Chelsea since arriving in February 2015 (h/t Daily Star's Alex Wood). However, incoming head coach Antonio Conte may want to keep the wide asset:

Conte was long departed from the Juventus helm before Cuadrado made his loan switch to Turin last season, but after seeing him impress during his days at Fiorentina, the Blues coach may want to use the player.

Goal's Ignasi Oliva recently reported Barca are ready to cash in on right-sided pair Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal this summer, potentially freeing up funds and the necessary squad space for Cuadrado's arrival.