Italy and Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli is on the verge to join Italian heavyweights Juventus this summer. Locatelli’s agents and club representatives are currently holding talks regarding the player’s fee and contact.
Sassuolo wants €40 million for the Euro 2020 winner who scored 2 goals in 5 appearances and helped Italy to win the European Championship. This is Italy’s first title since the 2006 World Cup and second European Championship trophy.
Juventus have offered €30m but as a loan for the 2021-22 season and an obligation to buy the midfielder next summer. Sassuolo have rejected this proposal by Bianconeri as they want a complete transfer this summer. Juventus are still confident that they can please the player to join them.Â
The 23-year-old is one of the most promising talents in Serie A and other than Juventus, Arsenal are also interested in bringing the player to Emirates Stadium. Gunners have offered €40 million for the Italian but the player wants to play in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Arsenal have reached a principal agreement until 2026 with English defender Ben White who’ll complete his medicals after returning from holidays post-Euro 2020. Albert Sambi Lokonga has also been roped in by Arsenal from Anderlecht.
Locatelli was signed by Sassuolo in 2019 from AC Milan for €14.5 million and since then, the player has made 99 appearances for the club which earned him a call-up from his national side led by Roberto Mancini for Euro 2020.
Meanwhile, Juventus would be hoping to get back to winning terms after a dreadful 2020-21 season as they finished 4th in Serie A and failed to defend their title against Inter Milan who were crowned as the new champions of Italy. The club also sacked head coach Andrea Pirlo and have once again assigned former coach Massimiliano Allegri to manage the squad.