Submitted by content on Fri, 10/28/2022 - 03:11
That’s according to Italian media outlet CalcioMercato, who claim that, despite turning down an offer for the midfielder from Manchester United in the summer transfer window, Juventus could still be tempted into parting with the 24-year-old this January, should they receive an offer too good to turn down – with his asking price reported to be in the region of €40m (£35m).
Fabregas 2.0
With holding midfield being something of a weak point in Mikel Arteta’s first team squad – as Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are the Spaniard’s only available options in the position at present – it is not difficult to understand why the 40-year-old would be interested in a deal to bring Locatelli to The Emirates this winter.
Indeed, the £52m-rated playmaker looks to be a player very much in the mould of Arteta’s particular brand of football, with WhoScored listing two of the 24-year-old’s primary strengths as his blocking of the ball – demonstrating his ability to win possession back for his side – and his range of passing – proving his ability to help his side control the tempo of games.
These traits are evident in the breakdown of his statistics, with FBref ranking the Italian in the top 14% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues and European competitions for progressive passes per 90, in addition to the top 16% for passes completed, the top 30% for passes attempted and the top 16% for blocks over the last 365 days.
Furthermore, the £96k-per-week earner has earned praise for his ability to play line-breaking passes, with journalist Raj Chohan stating of the midfielder following his display in a 2-1 victory over Belgium in October of last year: