Arsenal-linked midfielder completes Juventus loan with obligation to buy in two years' time

Arsenal-linked midfielder completes Juventus loan with obligation to buy in two years' time

Football365·2021-08-20 10:00

Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli has joined Juventus from Sassuolo in a £32million deal.The 23-year-old impressed at Euro 2020, scoring two good goals against Switzerland in the Azzurri’s second group game.He came off the bench in the final as Roberto Mancini’s men beat England on penalties.Premier League XI: Champion-slayers like Henry and RooneyLocatelli’s successful summer resulted in links with Arsenal, during their search for a new midfielder.But the player preferred a move to Juventus and the Bianconeri have now secured his services.They’ve signed him on a two-year loan with the obligation to buy in 2023. Juventus will pay 37.5m (£32m) to make the transfer permanent.Locatelli is the club’s third summer signing. They have already made Weston McKennie’s loan move from Schalke permanent for 18.5m (£16m) and brought in Brazilian wonderkid Kaio Jorge.The Italian giants are looking to regain their Serie A crown after finishing fourth in the 2020/21 campaign.They were 13 points behind eventual champions Inter Milan.Arsenal, meanwhile, have turned their attention to other transfer targets.Their main priority is bringing Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard back to the Emirates.Odegaard enjoyed a decent loan spell following a switch of clubs in January.He managed one goal and two assists in 14 Premier League games, scoring in a 2-1 victory over north London rivals Tottenham.Real have previously set their asking price at £52m, but it seems that is no longer the case.Recent reports suggest that a £30m transfer is close to being completed.Talks between the two clubs are in their final stages, with Odegaard set to agree on a five-year contract.Manager Mikel Arteta is keen to add more quality to his squad after the Gunners finished eighth in the Premier League last term.However, they haven’t exactly started the 21/22 campaign brilliantly.They were beaten 2-0 by Thomas Frank’s Brentford on Friday evening.The performance led to criticism from pundit Gary Neville, who said: Theyve been messed around.A game of football is really difficult if your centre-backs are getting messed around by the opposition forwards and thats happened from minute one tonight.Theres nothing worse than thinking your team are a little bit soft. Brentford have looked at them and thought, yeah, well have you, and thats the worst feeling.Arsenal fans will go away from here tonight thinking weve been bullied.

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