Friday, March 29, 2024

Report: Arsenal make ‘formal offer’ to sign £31m-rated Euro 2020 star

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.

Explore more