Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli has had an outstanding tournament for Italy at the European Championships.
The 23-year-old’s brace against Switzerland on Wednesday night has increased speculation about his future. Juventus, Arsenal, Chelsea and City have all been mentioned in reports regarding a potential bid for the Italian but so far, no team has tabled an offer.
Locatelli is said to be valued at €40m (£34m) by Sassuolo, which is not an outrageous figure, and fans on Twitter have called on the Citizens to step up their interest in the midfielder:
He is so good
— Flio hanzeno (@HanzenoFlio) June 16, 2021
Sign him up he’s better than Rodri.
— MikethaManc (@MikethaManc) June 16, 2021
He’ll be way more expensive if keeps putting in these kind of performances like he has for Italy?
— Call me H. ➐ (@theonlymandem) June 16, 2021
He is a MUST for us and he’s only worth like £30m GET IT DONE!! @ManCity
— #GJ9 (@Gabi9Goal) June 16, 2021
Get it done, grafter and can pick a pass, would be an excellent signing ?
— john paul (@john_jpm0702) June 16, 2021
He is more like Gundogan not Rodri but with a much better defensive attitude
He’s a B2B player who can run and cover all the pitch we need player like him and he’s only worth £30m
— #GJ9 (@Gabi9Goal) June 16, 2021
With Fernandinho set to sign a new contract and the likes of Rodri not expected to leave the Etihad Stadium anytime soon, there isn’t really much room for another holding midfield player in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
It is certainly true that Locatelli’s ability to play as a box-to-box midfielder could make him a very good asset but, with Ilkay Gundogan also capable of playing that role, it is hard to see where the Italian international would fit in.
