According to Sky Sports Italia, as cited by Metro, Arsenal are considering a move for Manuel Locatelli. The Premier League outfit are keeping track of the midfielder’s progress in the ongoing UEFA Euro 2020 and are poised to make an attempt to sign the Sassuolo starlet. The player is being valued at €40 million, even though the Italian club are unwilling to offload their star player in the summer.
What Does Manuel Locatelli Offer On The Table?
A holding midfielder by trade, Manuel Locatelli has enjoyed a great deal of success since his move to US Sassuolo in 2019. He has quietly established himself as one of the best in Serie A while notching up almost 100 competitive appearances for his club.
As his position suggests, Locatelli is a conservative midfielder who likes to stay deep and anchor the play. He is blessed with excellent technical ability that helps him rotate possession all around the park.
In addition, the Italian international is a fierce tackler, boasting a certain aggression that has made him an excellent asset in the second line of press for both club and country. His tall 1.85m frame gives him a considerable advantage in physical and aerial duels. Moreover, the midfielder is agile enough to mop up loose balls.
Locatelli’s performances at Sassuolo haven’t gone unnoticed either, with the former AC Milan prodigy becoming a vital asset to Italy’s midfield unit in the ongoing Euro 2020. He notably starred in the curtain-raiser against Turkey, helping his team secure a 3-0 victory.
Should Arsenal Splash The Cash For Locatelli?
A €40 million investment might be a lot for Arsenal at the moment, given the current situation of the park. However, it is a risk the Premier League giants can afford to make, as Locatelli is indeed a quality player who can improve the ranks at Emirates.
Mikel Arteta is already keen on improving his squad following a disappointing campaign. He is also running low on options, especially with Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos returning to Real Madrid while Granit Xhaka faces an uncertain future at the club.
The arrival of someone like Locatelli, in that regard, should further solidify the crux of the Arsenal midfield. The Italian international should be an ideal partner for Thomas Partey in the double-pivot as the duo is capable of offering assurance in possession as well as more support to the backline.
The Gunners, though, need to be swift in their approach to sign Locatelli as his price could drive up significantly after the Euro. Not to mention, the club’s absence from European football next season could discourage the player to make such a move.
