Gigi Maifredi has told TuttoMercatoWEB he finds it ‘scandalous’ that a ‘great’ club is yet to sign reported Arsenal and Newcastle United transfer target Domenico Berardi of Sassuolo.
Berardi has so far spent his entire career with the Neroverdi bar two days after joining the Emilia-Romagna outfit in his youth. Those two days away came after joining Juventus, only to immediately return to the Mapei Stadium on loan and then secure a permanent switch.
He never featured for the Bianconeri during his two years on the books in Turin from 2013 to 2015. But the 27-year-old has proven he is a creative force in green-and-black over recent years. He scored 17 and assisted eight goals last term and has hit 14 of each this season.
Arsenal admired what Berardi produced for Sassuolo and with Italy at Euro 2020 so sought his transfer. But while Gazzetta dello Sport cited the Gunners’ interest, they baulked at his €50m (£41.5m) valuation. Yet their interest has remained ahead of the next summer sales.
Now, Calciomercato report Arsenal will seek to challenge Leicester City for a transfer with Sassuolo for Berardi. But they face further Premier League competition. Chronicle Live also cite Newcastle United as a potential landing spot for the 23-cap star for the next window.
Additionally, Stefano Aravecchia notes there is a ‘promise’ between the Neroverdi and the Cariati native that he can leave this summer for €30m (£25m), with AC Milan very keen.
Icon finds it ‘scandalous’ no one’s signed Arsenal, Newcastle target Berardi yet
This year, then, may finally see Berardi seal the big transfer that Maifredi has believed the Arsenal, Newcastle and Leicester target has long merited for his performances at Sassuolo.
And the iconic Italian manager, famed for his ‘champagne football’, is confident the right-forward can play a leading role in any attacking position and in any team of his choosing.
“For a lifetime, I have said that the great teams that did not try to catch him did something scandalous,” Maifredi said. “But I know he stayed there for many reasons.
“Juve wanted him three, four years ago, but now I think he is ready. He has all of them, the characteristics to be able to move and I think he will go away. And in every team, he will be the protagonist.
“When a player has these characteristics, it is not enough to let him play the winger. I put them in the middle of the field, where they can be more protagonists.”
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