Manchester City’s interest in Manuel Locattelli is a credit to the fine work being done at Sassuolo, the Serie A club’s sporting director Giovanni Carnevali told Rai Sport, via TMW.
With Ilkay Gundogan joining Fernandinho in the 30-plus club, Pep Guardiola’s Premier League challengers are in the market for a midfielder capable of injecting a dash of youth into an ageing engine room.
According to the Mail, Italy international Locatelli is right at the top of City’s wish list, a £30 million priority.
The 23-year-old’s agent has already admitted that offers from abroad will be considered, suggesting that Locatelli is ready for a new challenge after three seasons at the Mapei Stadium.
And while Carnevali insists that Sassuolo will not sell in January, City’s interest is a source of pride for a club who have a fine track record when it comes to developing technically-gifted youngsters.
“Locatelli to City? It’s a good thing to be on everyone’s lips because it means that we are doing a positive job,” Carnevali said.
“These are all speeches that will be made in the summer because, in January, the sale of important players will not be taken into consideration.”
A deep-lying midfielder who loves to break up opposition attacks before launching rapid-fire transitions, Locatelli averages an impressive 2.7 tackles per game as well as an 88 per cent pass completion rate (WhoScored).
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