Juventus have got the ball rolling in their pursuit of Manuel Locatelli by holding a meeting with Sassuolo earlier this week.
I Bianconeri held the first of what will probably be many meetings between the two clubs in order to discuss the potential transfer of the 23-year-old Azzurri star after the European Championships come to an end.
From the birthplace of the Italian tricolour to flying it proudly at #Euro2020, Sassuolo’s stars are proving key to Mancini’s Azzurri. By @ConJClancy #TURITA #ITA https://t.co/7f6VL2S8iQ pic.twitter.com/Y4mqIE7YzR
— ForzaItalianFootball (@SerieAFFC) June 12, 2021
Neither side has stated their price yet as they weigh each other up, but the fee is likely to be no less than €40 million, according to Tuttomercato.
Sassuolo’s general director, Giovanni Carnevali, knows that other big clubs are in for the midfielder, including Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, although Juventus are the first to make a move.
Sassuolo’s Pedro Obiang spoke exclusively to @ConJClancy about teammate Manuel Locatelli’s next steps… ?
Where do you think the Italian will be playing next season? ??
? https://t.co/SXeHYyhR7N pic.twitter.com/vyTzNb1vA8
— ForzaItalianFootball (@SerieAFFC) April 29, 2021
There has been talk of possible part-exchanges that include the likes of Radu Dragusin and Felix Correia, even if it’s possible that they won’t be included in a direct deal involving Locatelli.
Il Corriere dello Sport, however, reports that the player will be offered a five-year deal worth €3 million plus bonuses, and will cost €30 million with the inclusion of Dragusin, who would therefore be valued at €10 million.