Sassuolo chief executive Giovanni Carnevali has suggested that talks with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal over the transfer of Manuel Locatelli are really advanced, as quoted in The Express.
Carnevali has not named Arsenal, but the Sassuolo CEO has said that the Italian club are in talks with a club from abroad over Locatelli.
The Express quotes Carnevali as saying: “We’re in talks for Locatelli with one club from abroad… and it’s really advanced. We’re going to meet with Juventus in the next days, but there are no negotiations yet with Juve as Italian clubs are in difficult financial situation.”
Why Arsenal?
Now, you could ask why we are suggesting that it is Arsenal that Carnevali is referring to as the ‘club from abroad’.
That’s because the Italian official said only a few days ago that Arsenal had made a bid for Locatelli.
In fact, Carnevali said that Arsenal have made an offer for the Italy international midfielder.
Sky Sports quoted Carnevali as saying earlier this month: “It’s true that other clubs from abroad are interested, Arsenal are one of these and they are ahead of everyone else because they tabled the only concrete offer we have received so far.”
Encouraging for Arsenal
Carnevali has not mentioned Arsenal by name this time, but given his previous comments, we can assume that he means the Gunners.
It is very encouraging for Arsenal fans.
Locatelli is a very good and promising young midfielder who is showing at Euro 2020 what he is capable of.
Juventus are one of the biggest clubs in the world and will play in the Champions League next season.
Arsenal beating Juventus to Locatelli will be a massive statement of intent.
Remember, the Gunners will not even play in the Europa League next season and unlikely to challenge for the Premier League title.
The 23-year-old is a dynamic deep-lying playmaker who is brilliant in a holding role and can also drive the team forward.
Locatelli could form a formidable partnership with Thomas Partey in the middle of the park.
However, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported on his website that Locatelli wants to join Juventus.
That has led Arsenal to make Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves their top target.
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