Chelsea will reportedly compete with Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and West Ham United to sign 27-year-old Italian international Manuel Locatelli from Juventus next year.
According to a report by Caught Offside, Manuel Locatelli is the subject of interest from Chelsea. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and West Ham United are also keen on signing the Juventus midfielder next year. Meanwhile, the Serie A giants will demand around €40 million to part ways with the Italian international next year.
Manuel Locatelli and his Juventus spell so far
Manuel Locatelli has made considerable progress since joining Juventus from Sassuolo, even though he has endured peaks and troughs throughout his spell with the Bianconeri. The 27-year-old has made nearly 200 appearances thus far for the Serie A club while chipping in with six goals and 15 assists.
However, Locatelli’s long-term future at Juventus is uncertain, as he is no longer an undisputed first-choice starter for Juventus under Igor Tudor. Nevertheless, the Italian midfielder’s stock in the market is high, with Premier League clubs eager to sign him. Aston Villa, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and West Ham United are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
A man in demand
Aston Villa may dip into the market for a holding midfielder next year. While Unai Emery has several midfielders in his squad, Youri Tielemans’s long-term future is uncertain amid links with several foreign clubs, including Atletico Madrid. So, Locatelli is a viable target for Aston Villa. Newcastle United must also dip into the market for a midfielder, as widespread reports have suggested Joelinton’s long-term future is up in the air.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s interest in Manuel Locatelli is somewhat perplexing. Enzo Maresca has a stacked midfield unit, with Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez being two of the Premier League’s best midfielders. Nevertheless, recent reports have linked Chelsea with several midfielders, including Marc Casado, with Locatelli also an option worth considering.
As for West Ham United, Locatelli has been on the East London club’s wishlist for a long time. The continued interest is understandable, as Guido Rodriguez faces an uncertain future at the London Stadium. So, Locatelli is a viable target for West Ham. Meanwhile, Juventus will demand around €40 million to part ways with the former AC Milan midfielder.
The Serie A club’s price tag makes Locatelli an appealing target. It will be interesting to see if Aston Villa, Chelsea, Newcastle United, and West Ham United are ready to pay €40 million to sign the 27-year-old Italian international from Juventus.
