Roberto De Zerbi has reportedly told Tottenham Hotspur to sign 36-cap Italian international Manuel Locatelli from Serie A club Juventus in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, Juventus mainstay Manuel Locatelli is the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites are eager to significantly bolster their first-team setup by signing a holding midfielder in the coming months as they prepare for a squad overhaul.
The latest report has revealed that Roberto De Zerbi is the driving force behind Tottenham’s move for the Lecco native, with the newly-appointed head coach “naming the Juventus midfielder for next season” during his initial discussions with the North London club ahead of his arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Manuel Locatelli and his Juventus stint so far
Manuel Locatelli has made substantial progress since joining Juventus from Sassuolo, initially arriving on loan in August 2021 before completing a permanent move two years later. While the 28-year-old has endured peaks and troughs throughout his spell with the Bianconeri, he has become a mainstay in the middle of the park for the Serie A giants.
The 36-cap Italian international has made over 200 appearances thus far for the Serie A club while chipping in with nine goals and 17 assists. Meanwhile, Locatelli’s progress has stimulated the interest of several high-profile clubs. Tottenham Hotspur will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the upcoming transfer window.
London calling?
Manuel Locatelli has been on Tottenham Hotspur’s wishlist for a long time. The continued interest makes sense, as the Lilywhites are scouring the market for a holding midfielder as they prepare for a squad overhaul after another dreadful Premier League campaign. While the focus remains on avoiding relegation from the Premier League, they must also plan for the long haul.
Bolstering the midfield unit will be the first step towards achieving stability and soaring in the Premier League. So, with Yves Bissouma having no future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Joao Palhinha’s long-term future being uncertain, the North London club must dip into the market for a top-notch midfielder.
Locatelli is thus an option worth considering, with Roberto De Zerbi pushing Tottenham to sign the 36-cap Italian international. However, it is unclear if the 28-year-old will be open to leaving a top Serie A club to join the struggling Premier League outfit, considering the chances of success in Turin are higher, as things stand. Swapping the Allianz Stadium for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may not be a sensible decision.