Manuel Locatelli to Juventus Deal Stalls as Premier League Interest Emerges

Juventus had a season to forget last season. While they had manageable offense, their biggest disappointment came in the midfield department. With a slow core of midfielders like Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey, Juve lacked dynamism in the middle of the park.

Given how passive their midfield was, Juve know that they have to bring some new talents. The biggest name the Italian giants are linked to is Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli. Locatelli certainly had an impressive Serie A season and continued to maintain this form in the Euros.

A versatile midfielder, the Sassuolo midfielder showed his all-round game. Be it stopping opposition’s progress on the field with tackles and interceptions or deliver accurate short or long passes, the Italian can do it all. Given his skill-set it is not a surprise on why Italian giants want the 23-year-old.

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Juventus’ frustration grows as Premier league clubs emerge as potential suitors for Locatelli

Juventus have been the top candidate to land the Italian midfielder for a while now. But the record Serie A champions might be in for a tough time. While Juve’s interest grows, Sassuolo CEO is getting more and more rigid on the price tag.

According to Fabrizio Romano, CEO Giovanni Carnevali said, “We’re waiting for the right bid for Locatelli… if it doesn’t arrive, he’ll stay here. We’re not going to sell our best players later in August”

After reports about Arsenal’s interest on Locatelli, Carnevali claimed that it wasn’t a two horse race. Carnevali revealed that there was interest from a third English club for Locatelli.

Locatelli’s preference among the three interested though is clearly Juventus. But the ‘Neroverdi’ are stringent in terms of their price tag and will sell the player to the party who agrees to pay the sum.

Carnevali also cracked some jokes on Juve. The Sassuolo CEO claimed that it would be easier for Juve to bring back Miralem Pjanic rather than pursuing the Italian prodigy Manuel Locatelli.

This is certainly adding to Juventus’ fans all around the world. While Locatelli’s transfer to Juventus seemed like a matter of time, the latest antics by Sassuolo means that they want to cash in on the Italian and don’t want a cut price for the same.

The rising competition from the premier league doesn’t help either. If Juve want to add Locatelli this summer, they might have to dive deep into their pockets for the highly touted young star. Who do you think will Locatelli end up playing for?