According to Calciomercato, Manuel Locatelli sacrificed at least €12m (£10.3m) in wages to secure a move to Juventus instead of Arsenal.
What’s the story?
Well, the Italian news outlet believe the 23-year-old lost at least a dozen million euros in order to team up with Massimiliano Allegri in Turin.
Calciomercato believe Arsenal offered Locatelli €5.5m-per-season (£4.7m) and were prepared to meet Sassuolo’s €40m (£34.2m) asking price.
However, the EURO 2020 winner told his representatives not to negotiate with the Gunners, as he only wanted to join Juventus.
Despite that stance, it’s somewhat concerning for Arsenal that a target is prepared to lose over £10m in order to avoid the Emirates Stadium.
Out of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s hands
In fairness, there wasn’t much Arsenal could’ve done about this.
Calciomercato believe it was Locatelli’s childhood dream to play for Juventus, a dream he can now realise after his £32m move was completed.
In that respect, Edu and Mikel Arteta could’ve thrown as much money as they wanted at the 15-cap Italy international, and it may not have made any difference.
At first glance, it seems quite embarrassing for the Gunners that a player would give up so much money, just so he doesn’t have to join them.
However, we hope this is just an isolated incident involving a fan wanting to join his boyhood club.
If this happens again, though, and it has nothing to do with boyhood aspirations, then Arsenal should start to worry about their pulling power.
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