Arsenal are set to challenge Leicester City for the transfer of Domenico Berardi, with Mikel Arteta targeting the Sassuolo star for a third-straight window, according to Calciomercato.
The Gunners and Foxes are keen to present Berardi a move to the Premier League with his Neroverdi future uncertain. The 27-year-old has been in sensational form in Serie A so far this season. But he has long considered departing the Mapei Stadium for a new adventure.
Berardi has effectively spent his entire career with the Emilia-Romagna outfit, having risen from the academy to the first-team fold. He left for Juventus in 2013, only to immediately return on loan and sealed a permanent deal back two-years later without a game in Turin.
But the 2021/22 season could prove to be the 23-cap dynamo’s last hurrah in green-and-black. Again, Berardi may leave Sassuolo with Arsenal and Leicester keen on his transfer after scoring 12 goals and providing a further 14 assists over 25 Serie A games this term.
The Euro 2020 champion was the first player among Europe’s top-five leagues to hit double figures for goals and assists. He has also created one goal in each of his last four top-flight games – including the opener in a 2-0 win over Inter Milan and late winner over Fiorentina.
Arsenal to revive interest in long-term Arteta target Berardi of Sassuolo
Berardi’s sensational Serie A form with Sassuolo could have been in the Premier League for Arsenal this term. Gazzetta dello Sport reported last June that Arteta’s side contacted the Neroverdi over a €50m (£42m) deal. He was lighting up Euro 2020 with Italy at the time.
Arsenal again approached Sassuolo to discuss a transfer for Berardi ahead of the January sales, too, per Fanta Calcio. The Mapei Stadium natives would have also accepted €30m (£25m) to offload the left-footed right-winger, who had asked to leave the club last year.
Pulling Italian top-flight defences apart this season has ensured Arteta remains keen on a deal, it seems. But Arsenal will have to battle Leicester for the summer transfer of Sassuolo star Berardi – who ex-England boss Fabio Capello hails for his ‘dangerous’ final-third threat.
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