Manchester City and Juventus are willing to go head-to-head for the highly-rated Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli in the upcoming summer transfer window. Locatelli is a technically gifted midfielder. He can play an attacking role and in a defensive midfielder role as well.
The 23-year-old has made 26 appearances for the Neroverdi this season in Serie A. He scored 3 goals and assisted once as well.
Sassuolo initially took Locatelli from AC Milan on loan for €2 million in 2018. Then the deal became permanent in the summer of 2018 for €10 million. Since then he made 91 appearances for the Neroverdi, scored six goals and 10 assists.
Locatelli is currently contracted with Roberto De Zerbi’s side until June 2023. However, he expressed his desire to take on a new challenge and it can be outside Serie A.
Juventus or Manchester City where will Locatelli go in the summer?
While giving an interview, Locatelli revealed that he feels ready to take a step forward and play for a bigger team. Even at the cost of going abroad.
“Playing abroad is an option for me and at the moment I’m not excluding anything. It’s part of my job and it means that I have raised my level. Certain certificates of esteem and interest from big clubs increase my motivations and make me understand I’m on the right track.” – Locatelli on interest from Juventus and City.
Whoever ends up winning the race might have to pay around €40 million in the summer. If Juventus manage to sign the highly-rated midfielder. Then that will be great as they are looking for a midfielder who can take the ball from deep and play forward through the lines quickly.
On the other hand, if Manchester City manage to sign him then they will get a very good replacement for veteran Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho.
Juventus or Manchester City whoever can manage to take the deal over the line for the Sassuolo midfielder Locatelli they will get a top-class player for over a decade at least.
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