Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Italian international Manuel Locatelli.
The 23-year-old has been one of the breakout stars in Serie this past season, sparking interest from across Europe.
Manchester City, Chelsea, Juventus, Real Madrid and Arsenal are amongst the other clubs keeping tabs on the midfielder.
According to Gazzetta, newly appointed spurs director Fabio Paratici could make a move for Locatelli this summer.
The report adds that Juventus is the preferred destination for the midfielder but he would not deny himself the opportunity to play abroad.
He has a contract with Sassuolo until the summer of 2023, and they will only consider selling him if their asking price is met. Locatelli will cost around €40 million.
He bagged four goals and three assists last term and was impressive in Italy’s opening game of the European Championships against Turkey.
Locatelli vs. Turkey. #EURO2020 #TUR #ITA #TURITA pic.twitter.com/7e7tR0G9dT
— Mehedi Hassan (@MHassanFootball) June 11, 2021
Watching Italy last night and one player that really caught my eye- and seemed to slip under the radar in the post match plaudits- was Manuel Locatelli. Decided to look at his stats, and sure enough he has been outstanding for Sassuolo this season as a progressive DM! pic.twitter.com/ggR4CUBy2C
— Who (@BeyondZorawar) June 12, 2021
Sassuolo will be hoping for more of the same throughout the summer. Quality performances in the European Championships could drive the midfielder’s price up.
SL View: A move to Spurs doesn’t make sense for Locatelli
As far as Tottenham are concerned, a move for Locatelli seems surprising as they already have Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg playing the defensive midfield role.
A player of Locatelli’s calibre will not want to join as a back-up option, and accommodating two defensive midfielders could affect the team’s balance.
Read: Tottenham keen on signing Serie A duo this summer.
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