Sassuolo are ready to anticipate the inevitable and sell Domenico Berardi in the January transfer window amid reported interest from Arsenal, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.
The Neroverdi accept Berardi’s long-term future is away from the Mapei Stadium, despite his contract running to 2024. So, the Serie A side intend to get a jump start on their rebuild by selling the forward over the winter than wait until his almost guaranteed summer exit.
Berardi has spent his entire career so far at Sassuolo, bar a few days with Juventus. But the 27-year-old now wants to try his hand elsewhere, and already asked to leave this summer.
Fiorentina are giving serious thought to signing Berardi in mid-season, but are not close to Sassuolo’s demands. I Viola have so far only presented an offer of €15m (£13m), but the Neroverdi will only sell their Euro 2020 winning winger for €25m-30m (£21m-25.5m).
If the Artemio Franchi Stadium natives refuse to increase their bid, it is very difficult to see Berardi moving. That’s despite Calciomercato reporting he has already agreed a contract.
The Italian publication noted last month that Berardi and Fiorentina have an agreement in principle. He would sign a four-year, €3.5m-a-season (£57k-a/w) deal with the Tuscan side.
Door open for Arsenal to seal transfer of ‘dangerous’ Sassuolo star Berardi
The distance between Fiorentina’s bid and Sassuolo’s valuation leaves the door wide open for Arsenal to seal their own January transfer for Berardi to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Reports by Fanta Calcio in November also claimed the Gunners had approached the Mapei Stadium side to discuss his availability. They would also move strongly if he is up for sale.
Sassuolo have two replacements in mind for Berardi, as well, with TuttoMercatoWEB citing Sevilla’s Oussama Idrissi and Spezia’s Janis Antiste. The Neroverdi will, however, show fight before losing Berardi, who has already scored seven and assisted five goals this season.
Berardi, who Fabio Capello described as ‘dangerous’ to Sky Italia during Euro 2020, has also only failed to influence the scoring in two of his 13 Serie A outings so far this term.
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