Sassuolo director Giovanni Carnevali has refused to rule out selling Euro 2020 star Domenico Berardi with Premier League rivals Liverpool and Spurs linked, speaking to TRC, via Football Italia.
It was a goal made in Emilia-Romagna and celebrated in Roma.
Manuel Locatelli hooked a stunning, first-time pass out to the wing and set off on a lung-bursting run into the penalty area, tapping home after a sumptuous one-two with his Sassuolo teammate.
Arguably the best team goal in the tournament so far set Italy on their way to a 3-0 thrashing of Switzerland last week. But, while it was Locatelli’s face that adorned newspapers up and down Italy the next day, Berardi’s contribution shouldn’t be underplayed.
It was the winger’s second assist of Euro 2020 already – if you count the driving cross Merih Demiral turned into his own net in the competition opener against Turkey.
And while ‘tournament signings’ always carry a degree of risk, Berardi’s sparkling displays on the right-hand side of Roberto Mancini’s attack may have paved the way for a big-money move.
Is Italy’s Euro 2020 star Berardi heading for Liverpool or Spurs?
Gazzetta dello Sport reports the 25-year-old is a £43 million target for Tottenham Hotspur – a replacement for Gareth Bale perhaps?
Liverpool and Leicester City are also interested in a man dubbed the ‘Totti of Sassuolo’.
And while Carnevali made it clear another Italy international, Giacomo Raspadori, wasn’t for sale, he was far less certain when discussing Berardi’s future.
“The intention of our much-missed president Giorgio Squinzi (who passed away in October 2019) was to make Berardi a symbol of Sassuolo,” says Carnevali.
“Domenico was right in the past to reject offers from other clubs, becoming today an important figure for the Nazionale.
“I cannot promise he will remain with us, but it’s not a matter of money. Berardi is a special guy, with very clear ideas. He wants to continue enjoying his football.
“What he wants will be important both for the choice of club and his coach.”
Does that mean Berardi, who rose through the ranks at Sassuolo to become their all-time record goalscorer, is destined to leave the club after a decade of loyal service?
Locatelli’s future remains up in the air too, while fellow winger Jeremie Boga has also indicated a desire to try something new.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
