Juventus could finalise a deal to sign Manuel Locatelli on Friday as talks with Sassuolo over the Euro 2020 winner Arsenal wanted now reach an advanced stage, according to Goal.
The Bianconeri are on the verge of sealing Locatelli’s arrival in Turin after ramping up their negotiations. Juventus have been persisting with discussions for weeks as they strive to bolster Massimiliano Allegri’s engine room following his return.
Talks between Sassuolo and Juventus now look set to return a positive conclusion, with a deal possibly done on Friday. The Old Lady are desperate to finalise the 23-year-old’s move to the Allianz Stadium before their Serie A opener away to Udinese on Sunday, August 22.
Locatelli also wants to join Juventus from Sassuolo this summer, despite attracting the gaze of Arsenal earlier in the window. The Italian’s agent, Andrea D’Amico, even confirmed the Gunners offered €40m (£34m) to Sky Italia, via the Evening Standard.
Giovanni Carnevali, the Sassuolo CEO, also confirmed to Sky Italia that Arsenal made an offer for Locatelli. Who Gazzetta dello Sport claimed Liverpool explored signing following the Neroverdi executives’ comments.
Sassuolo have so far resisted Juventus’ interest as the Turin outfit failed to match Arsenal’s offer for Locatelli. The Mapei Stadium side have always valued the midfielder at €40m, but Locatelli rejected all offers as he held out for a move to the Bianconeri this summer.
Goal expect Sassuolo executives will arrive in Turin on Friday to finalise Locatelli’s move to Juventus, ending Arsenal’s lingering hopes. Old Lady chiefs are also hopeful the talks will return a positive outcome to finally conclude a lengthy pursuit.
Arsenal to miss out on Sassuolo star Locatelli, a Juventus target with ‘everything’
Mikel Arteta will rue seeing Juventus complete Locatelli’s transfer, having wanted Arsenal to strike their own deal with Sassuolo. The former AC Milan prospect showed why the Gunners wanted him so badly at Euro 2020 with his energetic displays.
Locatelli would have offered Arsenal a driving force through the centre of their engine room. Capable of carrying the ball into the final-third, splitting defences with his passes and finding the back of the net.
Italy boss Roberto Mancini cannot speak any higher of the 15-cap technician, either. Planet Football quote the former Manchester City manager as saying: “We think he’s a great player, who can still improve. He has physicality, quality, vision: he has everything.”
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