Arsenal have made a formal offer to sign Euro 2020 star Manuel Locatelli, according to reports in Italy (SportItalia via Football Italia).
As we told you back in May, a club insider told Fresh Arsenal that the Gunners have an interest in signing Sassuolo midfielder Locatelli as a replacement for Granit Xhaka if he leaves this summer.
Xhaka is now pushing to leave Arsenal and a move to Roma is thought to be close. 25-year-old Lucas Torreira is also reportedly ‘very close’ to moving to Italy, this time to Lazio. Matteo Guendouzi doesn’t appear to have a future at the club either, and Arsenal could use money raised from the sales of all three to fund a move for £31m rated Locatelli.
Locatelli already had many admirers, but his performances at Euro 2020 to date will have only attracted more.
The 23-year-old has excelled in the team of the tournament so far, scoring 2 goals and assisting another in the group stages.
Locatelli is a very talented central midfielder who traditionally operates from the left side of central midfield, a position currently held by Xhaka.
A transfer for Locatelli is unlikely to be concluded until the tournament is over, and Arsenal face strong competition from Juventus. Traditionally, if Juventus want a young Italian player, they’ll end up signing them.