Liverpool are making an opening bid for Sassuolo star Manuel Locatelli, who is the subject of interest from Juventus and Arsenal.
The Reds are looking for a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum this summer after the Dutchman joined PSG on a free transfer, and despite some reports that their incoming transfer deal is already complete, it seems likely that a new midfielder is still on the agenda.
Jurgen Klopp looks at a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
Through player sales, they have already made back almost all of the £ 36 million they spent on Ibrahima Konate, and there are additional departures coming with Neco Williams, Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi that are likely to raise respectable sums.
Their reported midfield goals have mostly had a lot in common so far. Youri Tielemans, Teun Koopmeiners, Saul Niguez and Renato Sanches are all physical, press-resistant playmakers who can chip in with a goal and an assist.
It is therefore no big surprise to see that the Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport links them with a move for Sassuolo Locatelli, who stole the show for his country at Euro 2020 despite only starting three of Italy’s seven matches.
Locatelli’s performance against Switzerland was one of the best individual performances in the tournament and came after the best season of his life with Sassuolo in Serie A. His impressive form has given him interest from Juventus and Arsenal, but Football Italia has translated a paper report claiming that a bid from Liverpool is coming.
With a headline that ominously reads “Liverpool skips Locatelli”, it is said that the Reds have “joined the race” for the AC Milan youth product and want to tie him before August 8 – deadline Sassuolo has set to sell any of the stars.
As it stands, both Juventus and Arsenal are locked in talks to lure him away, and the former is in the most advanced stage. But their current bid – a € 5m loan (£ 4.3m) with an option to buy € 27m (€ 23m) – is still a long way from Sassuolo’s asking price of € 40m. Juve decided to meet again with Sassuolo on Friday in the hope of releasing a contract.
