Juventus are reportedly ready to step up their pursuit of highly-rated Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli.
According to Calciomercato, the Bianconeri are willing to offer the super-talented youngster Nicolo Rovella as a makeweight in a deal to sign the ex-AC Milan playmaker.
The 19-year-old defensive midfielder, who spent the 2020/21 season at his boyhood club Genoa, signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at the Allianz Stadium in January 2021.
Widely considered one of the most exciting young talents in Italy, Rovella moved to Juventus for €20 million but could depart Turin without making a single appearance.
After being rehired by the former Serie A champions in late May, Massimiliano Allegri is keen to reshape the squad that surrendered the title to Inter Milan in 2020/21.
The signing of Arthur Melo from Barcelona last summer has not worked out well, with the Brazilian struggling to settle in Turin under Andrea Pirlo.
Allegri wants to add another defensive midfielder to his star-studded squad to whittle down the gap on Inter next season.
The Italian manager’s top target heading into the summer transfer window is Locatelli, who has enjoyed exceptional two years at Sassuolo.
Having been deemed surplus to requirements at the San Siro, the 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength since leaving Milan in 2019.
Locatelli’s impressive form at the Mapei Stadium has earned him a place in Italy’s European Championships squad, with Roberto Mancini counting on the Lecco native to orchestrate the Italians’ game this summer.
Sassuolo have already slapped a hefty £38m price tag on their prized possession’s head as they look to cash in on one of their standout performers.
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have also registered interest in the Neroverdi metronome, but his preference is to stay in Serie A, which gives Juventus the upper hand.
Read: Fiorentina set a hefty price tag for Dusan Vlahovic amid Juventus and Milan interest.
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