Arsenal may be closing in on Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga, but they’re still moving for Sassuolo star Manuel Locatelli.
Locatelli made headlines with two goals against Switzerland at Euro 2020, but was benched for Marco Verratti for Italy’s knockout clash with Austria.
The 23-year-old is still expected to play an important role for Italy in this tournament, and he looks likely to earn a big move this summer.
Carnevali claims Arsenal bid for Locatelli
Sassuolo chief executive Giovanni Carnevali has told Sky Italia that talks have been held with Juventus over a deal for Locatelli to head to Turin.
Carnevali admitted that it’s actually Arsenal leading the race for Locatelli, because they have made an ‘important bid’ – the only concrete offer on the table right now.
“The first thing is to leave the boy calm, I have not spoken with him or with his agents, because the national team is important to us,” said Carnevali. “Juventus is the only Italian team we spoke of Locatelli. Last week we met Cherubini, we haven’t talked about figures yet but we will meet again shortly.”
“There are other teams interested in Manuel, Arsenal is one of them and perhaps they are the one that is further ahead because they have made us an important bid. Indeed, up to now it is the only company that has submitted a concrete offer,” he added.
Juventus are a major threat, but it looks like Edu is doing everything he can to bring Locatelli to North London.
Arsenal’s midfield overhaul
Locatelli has been compared to Toni Kroos back in Italy, and he could form a superb midfield pairing with Thomas Partey.
With Lokonga set to join from Anderlecht in the near future and Granit Xhaka still potentially move on, this could be a new-look Arsenal midfield next season.
With Locatelli and Partey starting and having Mohamed Elneny, Lokonga and exciting prospect Miguel Azeez, Mikel Arteta could completely overhaul his engine room in an exciting move.
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