JUVENTUS have reportedly beaten Arsenal in the race to prise midfielder Manuel Locatelli away from Sassuolo.
The 23-year-old has impressed at Euro 2020 in his two games for Italy where he scored twice in the 3-0 win over Switzerland.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been keeping tabs on the player following an impressive 2020-21 Serie A campaign where he chipped in with three goals and four assists in 34 matches.
It has been claimed that the Gunners were eyeing up a £34million swoop with the North Londoners in dire need of another central midfielder this summer.
Arsenal could part ways with the likes of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles faces an uncertain future.
SunSport recently reported how Juventus were also looking to secure his services, where they were prepared to offer Sassuolo cash plus teenage centre-back Radu Dragusin.
And according to Italian journalist Nicola Schira, the Old Lady are closing in on the ex-AC Milan star’s signature.
He has stated that Locatelli has already agreed personal terms with Juve with the two clubs hopeful a deal can be reached within the next 48 hours.
It has also been said that the player will pen a contract in Turin until 2026 where he will earn £2.5m-a-year.
Speaking ahead of Euro 2020, Locatelli declared that despite speculation regarding him, he will wait until after the tournament to make a decision.
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Locatelli insisted: “It is normal to have rumours about the transfer market, but I will not let myself be influenced by them.
“It would be a waste of time to think about that, even though I know that after the Euros will have some decisions to make.
“I’ll decide my future after the Euros. I talked with Sassuolo board, we know what we’ve to do in July.”
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