According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City have ‘shortlisted’ Manuel Locatelli and could make a move for the 23-year-old over the summer. With Fernandinho expected to depart at the end of his contract in July, Pep Guardiola will need a replacement in midfield.
Locatelli appears to fit the bill for what City are looking for, as he’s a brilliant box-to-box player who’s turned over the ball better than any player in the squad this season. The Italian international would improve City’s engine room and wouldn’t break the bank with a £30m asking price, so he might be the ideal acquisition.
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Locatelli joined Sassuolo on loan from AC Milan in 2018 and turned the move permanent in 2019, making a total of 81 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals with nine assists.
The 23-year-old, whose deal at the Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore runs until 2023, has featured in 16 of 17 Serie A games this season and boasts 16/19 successful dribbles, 18 chances created, 21/38 aerial duels won, 24 blocked shots/crosses/passes, 29 clearances while averaging a tackle (43) or interception (28) every 20 minutes.
Locatelli has made more tackles and interceptions than any Man City player, so he’d bring real steel to the engine room and would put pressure on Rodri for a starting place.