According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Arsenal ‘did everything’ to try and pinch Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli from the clutches of Juventus, only to come up short.
Locatelli impressed in Italy’s first three games at Euro 2020, and especially became a wanted man after a brace against Switzerland in the group stage.
He did end up falling out of the side once Marco Verratti was fit again, but Locatelli remains a man in demand this summer.
Arsenal set to miss out
Juventus have long been considered favourites to sign Locatelli, but Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali admitted that Arsenal had pushed themselves to the front of the queue.
This new report states that Arsenal ‘did everything’ to try and bring Locatelli to North London, seemingly rolling the red carpet out for him to join them.
Sassuolo sensed something of a bidding war, and were hoping that Juventus or Arsenal would go up to €60million (£51million) for Locatelli.
Locatelli has remained committed to joining Juventus though, and it looks like a move to Turin will materialise imminently with Euro 2020 now over.
Arsenal may have Albert Sambi Lokonga on the way, but the pursuit of Locatelli suggests that Edu still wants to add a midfielder with star quality this summer – and whilst Locatelli may not be joining, look for Arsenal to move for somebody else in that area.
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