Manchester City join Real Madrid in race for Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli
When Manchester City set their eyes on a player, more often than not, they force their way into getting him. This time they have set their sights on Manuel Locatelli, and the club are working hard to cut a deal with Sassuolo for the midfielder.
According to the football transfer rumours in British and Italian media, Manchester City have joined Real Madrid in race for Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
The 23-year-old has been subject to interest from various European clubs.
The Italy international joined Sassuolo from Milan for a fee in the region of 13.5 million euros in July 2019. His contract expires in the summer of 2023.
The midfielder has banged in 3 goals and provided 3 assists in 32 matches this term on all fronts.
The 23-year-old is considered to be one of the best midfielders in Italy.
Locatelli has also left his mark at the international stage after netting one goal in 9 senior appearances for the Italy national team.
His impressive performances this season have apparently caught the eye of some of Europe’s big clubs.
Pep Guardiola wants to sign a new midfielder and Locatelli is one of the names at the top of his wishlist.
The report claims that Manchester City manager has extensively scouted Locatelli and is considering a move for the midfielder.
The Italy international will offer the Manchester City boss the freedom to be more flexible with his formations, tactics and team selections.
According to the report, “Manchester City are taking a close look at Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli. City are in the market for an eventual successor for captain Fernandinho and the Telegraph says the Italy international is under consideration. The former AC Milan whizkid is in career best form with Sassuolo and expected to make Italy’s Euros squad. No formal approach has been made, but Locatelli is being actively discussed within the Etihad Campus ahead of the summer market. Also keeping tabs on the midfielder this season has been Real Madrid.”
TOP FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
Manchester City will have to present a really enticing offer to bring Sassuolo to the negotiating table. The English giants have the resources to tempt them but it will be interesting to see if they are willing to overpay for the player.
Sassuolo are preparing to sell their midfielder should they receive a massive offer for him.
Manuel Locatelli ideal fit for Manchester City?
If Locatelli is available for the right price, then he could be a clever acquisition for Manchester City.
It is smart from the club to invest in younger players, rather than splashing out big money on experienced players with no resale value.
A midfielder of Locatelli’s ceiling will be a massive addition to City squad as he will not only improve the overall quality of Guardiola’s starting XI but also add some stability and variety to his midfield department.
If Pep Guardiola sees him as the right man for his side, Manchester City should quickly make a move to fend off interest from other clubs.
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Would Manuel Locatelli be a good signing for Manchester City?
Bologna-born Giuseppe Bianchi has spent more than a decade living in Rome and writing about Italian football, Spanish football and the Premier League for various Italian football portals and now he writes about European football for Euro Football Rumours. He's been thinking about football transfers pretty much nonstop since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Aside from writing, he likes to spend his time fishing and rock climbing.
