Arsenal considering swap deal with Juventus for Locatelli
Karan Tejwani
- 4 Oct 2022 08:20 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal are setting their sights on Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli once again, having targeted him previously, with Mikel Arteta believed to be a big fan of the player.
The Gunners were interested in the player in 2021 after he had a few impressive displays across Italy’s successful Euro 2020 campaign, with the midfielder working well in Roberto Mancini’s side.
Arsenal were strong contenders for his signature then, but he only wanted to go to Juventus, believing he could spur them on to regaining their Serie A title in the coming years.
However, his tenure at Juventus hasn’t worked out as planned, and Arsenal are keeping an eye on the situation, with Arteta still very keen on having Locatelli in his squad.
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Arsenal could offer a swap deal
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal are seriously keeping tabs on his future and his progress, with a view to making a move if things don’t change on Locatelli’s end.
While he is a very talented player, he is not considered a started under current manager Masimilliano Allegri, despite Juventus’ sluggish start to the 2022-23 season across all competitions.
Locatelli is still technically a Sassuolo player, having moved to Turin on a loan deal with an obligation to purchase him at the end of that spell, and Arsenal could have a say in that.
Manuel Locatelli (24) 🇮🇹 versus Bologna
2 tackles (match high) 💪
43 accurate passes 🎯
3/3 long balls 💥
62 touches 🧠
6/6 ground duels 🧱
7.8 match rating ⭐️
Back in form after a small dip ✅#SerieAScouting #Locatelli #Juventus pic.twitter.com/o8qdCeVALm— Serie A Scout ⭐️🇮🇹 (@SerieAScout_) October 2, 2022
Considering Arteta’s admiration for the player, he could offer one of his midfielders in a swap in a bid to get the deal done, with Albert Sambi Lokonga the name that could the other way.
Lokonga joined Arsenal in 2021 and hasn’t had the biggest impact at the club, with the Belgian often not considered to be a starter for the Gunners over the course of his stay.
He made 12 starts last season for the club, and Arteta feels giving him to the Turin club would be a tempting deal for Juventus and that Arsenal would be getting a serious upgrade on their current options.
