Arsenal are re-igniting their interest in Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli. The Italy international snubbed a switch to the Gunners over the summer.Locatelli has since fallen out of favour with Juve boss Max Allegri. Italian outlet Calciomercato says Arsenal are looking at recruiting the Euro2020 winner.
Mikel Arteta was desperate to sign another midfielder during the transfer window but ultimately failed in doing so.
Locatelli could be an option for the Spaniard once the January transfer window opens.
The 24-year-old was understood to have been the subject of interest from Arsenal among other Premier League clubs, but he ultimately arrived at Juventus on a two-year loan with an obligation to buy.
As things stand, the Old Lady will fork out a total of €25m (£21.8m) next summer, providing that Locatelli hits various performance-related objectives to trigger the clause to make his stay permanent.
The former AC Milan youngster immediately became a regular in the first XI under Massimiliano Allegri, who has supposedly been left less than impressed with his contribution so far.
According to Calciomercato, Allegri would not be averse to Locatelli making a swift exit from the club next summer after making it clear that the midfielder would drop to the bench if he was blessed with a fully-fit squad.
Allegri is said to have been left disappointed with Locatelli’s inability to “make a difference” in matches so far, and Juve will entertain offers if his form does not improve drastically in the coming months.
The report adds that Arsenal could therefore try again for Locatelli after failing to prise him away from his homeland in 2021, with Mikel Arteta determined to bring a new midfielder to the club.
Locatelli – who remains under contract at Sassuolo until 2024 for the time being – has three goals and five assists under his belt from 49 games in a Juventus shirt and started 23 Serie A games last season.
Paul Pogba’s serious knee injury saw Locatelli start his side’s first five games of the new Serie A season, but he has missed their recent clashes with Salernitana and Monza due to an issue of his own.
READ ALSOEPL: Arsenal loanee Balogun making the best of Reims adventure
Locatelli has also missed out on a place in Italy’s squad for September’s Nations League games due to his injury, and Arsenal boss Arteta has been dealing with a number of similar problems in the midfield area recently.