Chelsea ready to announce the signing of €35m-rated Italy international
The race to sign Manuel Locatelli in the summer transfer window is intensifying. The 23-year-old midfielder is being tailed by the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man City, Juventus and PSG, with Sassuolo resigned to losing him. Manuel has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in Serie A since joining Sassuolo from Milan.
.Initially signed on loan in the summer of 2018, Locatelli made such a solid impression the Neroverdi ended up signing him permanently a year later. Since then, the 23-year-old midfielder has been a mainstay in midfield for the Serie A outfit and has gone on to play 99 games to date for them, while also chipping in with 7 goals and 11 assists.
But, heading into the summer transfer window, Sassuolo are in a precarious position, with the Italian midfielder being courted by Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man City and others.
The interest from Real Madrid makes a great deal of sense, seeing as Casemiro has no natural backup for him in the first-team squad. In addition, with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric well into their thirties, it is prudent to strengthen the midfield, which means Manuel is a viable target, considering he can also play as a box-to-box midfielder.
As for Chelsea, their eagerness to sign Manuel is a bit perplexing, as Thomas Tuchel already has a solid midfield unit comprising of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho, with young Billy Gilmour waiting in the wings. However, Locatelli could be an option worth considering in the off chance that Jorginho moves away this summer.