Locatelli has been one of the breakthrough heroes of Euro 2020, putting in some impressive performances in the heart of the Italian midfield.
And, as a result of his performances, he’s been linked with a big-money move this summer, with his present club Sassuolo willing to let him go for the right price.
Locatelli has been a standout player for Italy at Euro 2020, scoring a brace in their 3-0 group-stage victory over Switzerland.
Last season, the 23-year-old scored four goals and added three assists for Sassuolo, helping the team to an eighth-place finish in Serie A.
Arsenal’s interest in Locatelli could also indicate that Granit Xhaka is on his way out of north London, with speculations linking the midfielder to a move to Roma to work with Jose Mourinho.
According to the CEO of Sassuolo, Giovanni Carnevali, Arsenal has made an official offer to recruit Manuel Locatelli this summer.
Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali told the press on Wednesday that Arsenal had made an official offer for Locatelli, who is pursued by Juventus.
Arsenal has made a formal offer for Locatelli. They’re making a strong push to sign Manuel, and it’s a significant bid. We’ll see. Locatelli is also wanted by Juventus, with whom we have a close relationship. We have a new meeting with Juventus set. We’re trying to keep the lad calm, so I haven’t spoken to him or his representatives yet.We can speculate about Locatelli’s future, but we are more concerned with his present, which is Italy’s success in the Euros.
Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali
Why Do Arsenal Want Locatelli?
Arsenal are looking for a new central midfielder to complement Thomas Partey, with Grant Xhaka slated to join Roma after Euro 2020.
Albert Lokonga is close to joining Anderlecht, but the 21-year-old is seen as a player for the future, and Arsenal are hesitant to throw him into the demands of the Premier League at his age.
As a result, they’re also on the lookout for a more experienced midfielder with experience in one of Europe’s top divisions, with Locatelli being one of their primary targets.
Locatelli is expected to sign a contract worth around 48,000 pounds per week in Turin until 2026.
Despite the hype around Locatelli ahead of the 2020 European Cup, he stated that he will wait until the game is completed before making a choice.
“The rumors regarding the transfer market are normal,” Locatelli said, “but I will not be affected.”
“Thinking about it is a waste of time, however I am aware that some decisions will be taken after the European Cup.
“After the European Cup, I’ll make a decision on my future. I spoke with the Sassuolo board, and we’ve decided what we’ll do in July.”
