Arsenal have submitted an offer for Manuel Locatelli, but Sassuolo want more for the in-demand midfielder amid Juventus interest.
According to Italian publication Repubblica, Arsenal have submitted an offer of €35 million for Manuel Locatelli. However, Sassuolo suggest that an offer of more than €40 million would be necessary to persuade them into a sale for the midfielder. Still, the major concern for the Gunners would be Juventus’ growing interest in Locatelli.
Locatelli has made it abundantly clear his intention to remain in Serie A and preferably join Juventus instead of any other club. The Bianconeri have not submitted a formal proposal for the midfielder yet, paving the way for Arsenal, who have already made an opening offer to Sassuolo – something that their CEO Giovanni Carnevali confirmed.
As revealed in the latest report, Arsenal’s offer was about €35 million, although, from Carnevali’s recent statements, Sassuolo might be looking for more than €40 million. The CEO did admit that prime contenders Juventus’ interest is genuine, but the Bianconeri will soon have to submit an offer. Otherwise, they might have to deal with missing out on Locatelli.
Arsenal have made their desire to bring Locatelli this summer clear, and the reported offer confirms their interest. The Gunners want the Italian international to replace Granit Xhaka, who is expected to leave for Roma. Arsenal are aware of Locatelli’s desire to join Juventus over any other club, but they are prepared to take their chances.
Juventus have undergone multiple changes in management with a new CEO and first-team manager in place. Massimiliano Allegri has returned to the helm after some time out of the game and has demanded certain important changes be made to the playing squad. The manager wants a viable midfielder in the centre, and Locatelli seems to fit.
However, Juventus are yet to make a concrete offer, with the report suggesting that a bid of €30 million plus player and another offer of a loan plus €35 million obligation to buy have already been rejected by Sassuolo. As mentioned earlier, Sassuolo wants more than €40 million.
If Juventus deem the price too much for the 23-year-old, then Arsenal might have a genuine chance to lure the Italian International to North London. To do so, the Gunners need to offer more money to Sassuolo and hope that the Bianconeri are priced out of doing a deal for Locatelli.