The Catalans have enquired about Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli according to a report on Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. The club representatives have recently made a enquiry for the Italian international who impressed everyone with his performance at the Euros 2020, which the Azzuri have won.
The 23-year-old is all set to leave Sassuolo this summer, and Barcelona is looking to capitalise on this opportunity. Locatelli has grown in stature ever since leaving AC Milan and joining Sassuolo. He has earned the national team call-up due to his impressive performances for Neroverdi. The midfielder has already mustered 99 Serie A appearances and have scored seven goals and chipped in with 11 assists from his centre midfield role.
His progress from his AC Milan was very evident during his fantastic Euros campaign as he replaced an injured Marco Verratti in midfield and delivered with aplomb. He has been one of the pivotal figures in the middle of the park for Roberto Mancini for the last few years. Therefore a lot of clubs are eyeing a move for the young midfielder.
While Juventus are leading the race to sign him, Barcelona have now joined the Old Lady in a contest to land him at Camp Nou.
Barcelona are in the market for a midfielder for a long time. Ronald Koeman was heavily interested in Georginio Wijnaldum, but the Catalans failed to sign the Dutchman, with the former Liverpool man deciding to join Paris Saint-Germain. Since then, Barca have not managed to sign any of their targets. But now they are eyeing a midfielder to bolster their options in the middle of the park.
The Blaugrana need someone who can control the midfield, and Locatelli can be their ideal player since Busquets is not getting any younger. Also Miralem Pjanic is considered surplus to requirements, and contract talks with Ilaix Moriba not taking a positive turn.
Apart from the Italian midfielder, Barcelona are also linked with players like Leon Goretzka of Bayern Munich, Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid and Donny Van de Beek of Manchester United. But they cannot sign anyone without balancing their books and offloading some of the players who are considered a surplus at Camp Nou.
