Liverpool ‘enter the race for Italy and Sassuolo star Manuel Locatelli’…but Juventus ‘remain the £34m-rated midfielder’s preferred choice’ with talks set for TODAY
- Manuel Locatelli emerged as one of the stars of the show at Euros this summer
- As a result, he caught the attention of European giants Juventus and Arsenal
- Liverpool have also reportedly registered an interest in the Sassuolo midfielder
- They are yet to table an official offer but are said to be close to doing so
Liverpool have entered the transfer race to sign Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli, according to reports.
Locatelli enjoyed a successful Euro 2020 campaign with Italy – who beat England in a dramatic final via penalties at Wembley.
As a result, Locatelli caught the attention of several European giants, including Serie A side Juventus and Premier League club Arsenal.
Liverpool have reportedly entered transfer race to sign Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli
However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool will look to make a transfer swoop for the midfielder this summer.
Liverpool will need to act quickly though, as Juve are closing in on a deal for the midfielder this week.
The player’s agent – who recently revealed that Mikel Arteta’s men had made a £34million bid to secure his signature – said that Juventus remains Locatelli’s No 1 destination.
Locatelli has caught the attention of several European giants as a result, including Juventus
The 23-year-old is said to be eager to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Co this summer
He also revealed that Locatelli and the Serie A side had finally scheduled talks over a deal and that all parties would sit down on Friday to discuss his future.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia on Thursday, Sassuolo’s CEO Giovanni Carnevali said: ‘Tomorrow we’ll have a direct contact with Juventus for Locatelli. He wants to join Juve.
‘We’d be happy to sell Manuel (Locatelli) to Juve… but they need to pay the right fee.
‘Arsenal made a bid to sign him and also a new English club is now in the race’.
Sassuolo have reportedly set August 8 as the deadline for any transfers relating to one of their key players, including Locatelli.
Liverpool are yet to make a formal bid for Locatelli, but they are expected to do so soon
Sassuolo’s CEO Giovanni Carnevali (L) is said to have set a £34m asking price for the player
As a result, Sassuolo will be hoping that Juventus table an offer that matches their £34m asking price during their discussions.
If not, Liverpool will have just nine days to try to close a deal for the midfielder and edge the Serie A giants out of the picture.
As it stands, Liverpool are yet to make a formal bid for Locatelli, but they are expected to do so soon.
Liverpool could also hold the upper hand in negotiations as Juventus can’t afford to sign Locatelli on a permanent contract and must instead convince the player to sign a loan deal with an option to buy.
Sassuolo are reluctant to let their star player accept such an offer and have already rejected Juve’s opening bid of £5m plus an option to buy for £20m.
Therefore, Liverpool could pull off a sensational transfer swoop if they were to offer a permanent deal at the club’s asking price by their deadline.
