£30 million Italy international Manuel Locatelli believes he is ‘ready’ to leave Sassuolo for a major European club amid interest from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, as he told Corriere dello Sport.
Even the evergreen Fernandinho cannot defy Father Time forever.
And with the long-serving midfielder due to turn 36 next month, he looks certain to follow Sergio Aguero out the door when his contract expires.
The Mail reported in January that Champions League semi-finalists Manchester City have identified the £30 million-rated Locatelli as their number one summer target, as Guardiola looks to add yet more top-class quality to his already star-studded midfield.
Following two hugely impressive seasons at the Mapei Stadium, one-time AC Milan starlet Locatelli clearly believes the time is right to climb up the ladder.
“I grew up (at Sassuolo) and I’m ready for a big one,” he said.
“(A move) abroad? I don’t rule it out. For me, it’s an option and at the moment I don’t preclude anything.
“I don’t like to talk too much about the transfer market because my agents and the Sassuolo managers will take care of this. I don’t know if this will be my last year here or what the future holds.
“When and if there are opportunities, we will evaluate them all together.”
Locatelli admitted that he would jump at the chance to play Champions League football.
So where better than a Manchester City side looking to win the competition for the first time in their history?
Speaking last month, Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali insisted that he would not stand in Locatelli’s way should a City or a Juventus come calling, via Football Italia.
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