Manchester City keen on signing Serie A midfield sensation
According to a report by Transfer Market Web, Manchester City are in the summer transfer race to sign Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
A product of the AC Milan academy, Manuel Locatelli, 23, left the club in the summer of 2018 to join Sassuolo initially on loan. Following his impressive performances in central midfield during his debut campaign at Mapei Stadium, Sassuolo signed him permanently a year later.
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Manuel Locatelli has since become one of Italy’s most coveted young midfielders, with the 23-year-old’s displays in Sassuolo colours also catching the eyes of Juventus, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Transfer Market Web claim.
Sassuolo are resigned to losing Manuel Locatelli after a solid season in Serie A. He made 34 appearances in Serie A, registering four goals and three assists this past campaign, as Sassuolo finished eighth in the table.
Manchester City are one of the clubs keen on signing Locatelli, as Pep Guardiola continues his hunt for Fernandinho’s long-term replacement.
Fernandinho, 36, has played a key role both on and off the pitch in directing Pep Guardiola’s side towards a third Premier League title in four seasons. He will discuss a new contract with the club now the 2020/21 campaign is done and dusted.
A one-year contract extension certainly makes sense for the Brazilian defensive midfielder, who has shown his ability to cope with the demands of Premier League football despite his advancing years.
However, that must not shelve City’s summer plans of signing a defensive midfielder when Fernandinho is no longer around. To that end, Manuel Locatelli would be a smart choice. The race to sign Locatelli is heating up, and thus, Manchester City must quickly move in for the player.
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At 23, the Italian international is not a finished article and can fulfil his potential under the watchful eyes of Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium. He is ideal for the Sky Blues and would instantly slot into the holding midfield role Fernandinho has long made his.
Moreover, Locatelli could be available in the region of €40m, as cited by Calciomercato, meaning he would be a massive bargain for City. However, any move is likely to take place after Euro 2020 with Locatelli a part of Roberto Mancini’s Italy squad for the tournament.