Euro 2020 winner Manuel Locatelli has an offer on the table from Premier League giants Arsenal but has his heart set on a move to Juventus instead, Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali tells Sky, via Goal.
The rumours were right, it seems.
As speculation surrounding the future of one of Serie A’s finest midfielders goes into overdrive, Carnevali has confirmed the validity of reports suggesting that Locatelli would only consider leaving the Mapei Stadium for his boyhood club.
And, no, the boy from Lombardy did not grow up idolising Ray ‘the Romford Pele’ Parlour.
Locatelli is a Juventus fan, born and bred, and would welcome the opportunity to join a side looking to reclaim what they deem to be their rightful place at the top of the Italian football tree, having gone back to the tried and tested Max Allegri after the Andrea Pirlo experiment blew up in their faces.
Where next for Arsenal as Manuel Locatelli pushes for Juventus?
“Tomorrow we’ll have a direct contact with Juventus for Locatelli,” Carnevali said on Thursday night.
“He wants to join Juve. We’d be happy to sell Manuel to Juve… but they need to pay the right fee.”
“Arsenal made a bid to sign him and also a new English club is now in the race.”
Unfortunately, Carnevali was unwilling to reveal the identity of that mystery suitor.
Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Locatelli in recent months. But it seems Pep Guardiola and Nuno Espirito Santo are looking elsewhere with just a fortnight to go before the new Premier League season kicks off.
It is understood that Sassuolo want around £40 million for Locatelli. Arsenal offered £34 million earlier this month – something his agent revealed recently – without success (Standard).
Interestingly, Arsenal appear to have accepted defeat in their pursuit of the newly-crowned European Champion, with Lyon play-maker Bruno Guimaraes reappearing on Edu’s radar.
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