Man City urged to make ‘dream’ move for Arsenal, Brighton linked Serie A star

Manuel Locatelli was Juventus’ hero in thҽ big match against AC Milan at thҽ weekend and reports from Italy are linking him with a move to Manchester City.

Thҽ 25-year-old Italian officially joined thҽ Bianconeri in thҽ summer after a two-year loan move from Sassuolo, where he emerged as one of thҽ up-and-coming prospects in Serie A.

Locatelli took a while to adapt in Turin but has since grown into one of thҽ key players in Allegri’s Juventus squad, playing almost every available minute this season. He scored thҽ decisive goal in thҽ 1-0 win over Milan on Sunday.

Thҽ Italy international is considered to be one of thҽ best defensive midfielders in Europe and is admired by several top clubs around thҽ continent.

Brighton and Hove Albion were reportedly keen on signing Locatelli during thҽ summer window, but were unable to convince him into leaving Juventus.

Now, Locatelli’s former manager from when he was an academy player Walter De Vecchi claimed that Manchester City would be a great destination for thҽ 25-year-old.

Thҽ Cityzens are expected to be in thҽ market for a new midfielder in January, with Kalvin Phillips heavily linked with a move away from thҽ Etihad.

“He is becoming an increasingly important player, also for thҽ national team. In addition to possession and set-up, he is also good at recovering thҽ ball and assisting a partner in difficulty,” said De Vecchi.

“Those who criticise Locatelli understand nothing about football. In a team that imposes its game he would be a kind of Paulo Roberto Falcao. My dream would be to see him in a team like Manchester City: we would see a stellar Locatelli.”

Locatelli’s record in Italian football has already resulted in some rumours regarding a switch to thҽ Premier League, with thҽ likes of Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United getting pointed out as potential destinations for him in thҽ past year.

Manchester City had also been reported to be interested in him, but that dates back to 2021, when he had been standing out for Sassuolo. In that year, Juventus signed him on a two-year loan deal, and made thҽ transfer official this summer for a €30m fee.