Barcelona have reportedly asked Sassuolo about the situation regarding 23-year-old Italian midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona appear to be interested in signing Manuel Locatelli from Sassuolo in the summer transfer window. The Catalan giants have already submitted an enquiry for the 23-year-old midfielder, who is set to leave the Italian outfit.
Manuel Locatelli has transformed himself since joining Sassuolo from AC Milan. Initially signed on loan by the Neroverdi in the summer of 2018, the youngster’s transfer was made permanent a year later. To date, the Italian midfielder has amassed 99 appearances for the Serie A outfit, chipping in with seven goals and 11 assists along the way.
This summer, the 23-year-old was a part of the victorious Italian side that won the UEFA Euro 2020, playing a key role over the course of the campaign. And his progress has alerted a number of top clubs across Europe, with Barcelona among his potential suitors in the ongoing transfer window.
Barcelona have been in the market for a midfielder all through the summer but have not managed to close in on any of their targets so far. Georginio Wijnaldum was initially their priority before he chose to join Paris Saint-Germain instead. The eagerness to bolster the midfield, though, makes sense.
Miralem Pjanic has been deemed surplus to requirements, while Philippe Coutinho is also on the exit trail at Camp Nou. So, it is understandable why Barcelona would want someone like Locatelli, especially with Sergio Busquets being in the twilight of his career.
In addition to the Italian midfielder, Barcelona have also been linked with Leon Goretzka, Donny van de Beek and Saul Niguez, among others. However, the Blaugrana cannot hope to sign anyone unless they manage to offload those that are not in Ronald Koeman’s plans, owing to their financial woes.
For now, Barcelona have submitted an enquiry to Sassuolo over the situation of Locatelli, and it will be interesting to see if they can leapfrog Juventus in the race to sign him. However, in order to do so, the Blaugrana will need to move quickly, with the Bianconeri the favourites to land the 23-year-old.
