KEY POINTS

  • Arsenal has not made any pitch to Sassuolo for Manuel Locatelli
  • Sassuolo CEO's statement could be a way to jack up the player's fee
  • Acquiring Locatelli may still happen for Arsenal

One club that has been linked to Manuel Locatelli of US Sassuolo Calcio is Arsenal.

However, it appears that no formal offer has been officially made by the Gunners. Regardless, this does not mean any move by the Italian to Emirates Stadium has been scorned.

It was Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali who claimed that the Gunners made a formal pitch for the services of Locatelli.

But a report citing sources by Goal refuted the claim and insisted that there has been no firm bid for the midfielder.

"It's true that other clubs from abroad are interested, Arsenal are one of these and they are ahead of everyone else because they tabled the only concrete offer we have received so far," Carnevali was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

Juventus has been singled out as the team interested in Locatelli aside from Arsenal.

This revelation could disappoint Arsenal fans although a deal could still go down. Considering that the 23-year-old remains on the radar of head coach Mikel Arteta, a future pitch may still happen.

Hence, critics feel that the intent behind Carnevali’s suggesting that Arsenal made an offer to Locatelli was tactical.

It could be his way of trying to kick up the price if Juve is bent on acquiring the Italian player’s services.

It would have made sense for the Gunners to add Locatelli with Arteta looking at options for his midfield.

Granit Xhaka is rumored to be leaving, while Dani Ceballos has concluded his loan spell and will be returning to Real Madrid.

Manuel Locatelli scored twice as Italy swept into the last 16 with a game to spare
Manuel Locatelli scored twice as Italy swept into the last 16 with a game to spare POOL / Riccardo Antimiani

Other than Locatelli, another player who is reportedly close to a deal is Albert Lokonga.

However, the 21-year-old is viewed more as an investment for the future. Given his age, the Gunners are not sure if he is ripe for English Premier League action.

Hence, expect Arteta and company to skim the transfer market for other players.

Several players have been suggested already. Aside from Lokonga, Ben White and Nuno Tavares have been identified as targets.

But to sign them, the Gunners will need to fork out roughly £75 million ($103 million) to seal the deal.

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