Arsenal prepare stunning €40m Manuel Locatelli transfer bid

Arsenal Would be a Better Side With Manuel Locatelli Signing

In terms of whether Arsenal should try to sign Locatelli or not, the answer is a big yes. If the profile of Xhaka is what the club are after then they have to make sure whoever comes in can elevate that position in the side and improve upon what will be left behind.

Locatelli is a pass master with outstanding delivery across the pitch. Everyone who has been keeping tabs on Locatelli in Serie A as well as sat down to watch the opening Euro 2020 clash with Italy and Turkey will know all about the 23-year-old. He passes. A lot. And very, very well.

For passes completed, progressive passes and passes into the final third, Locatelli is 98th percentile worthy. Incredible numbers. He can switch the play effortlessly, which is something Arsenal have to bring to their game and also why Ruben Neves is among the targets, while defensively he’s solid and his npxG+xA of 0.19 is also alluring.

Where the worries comes are in defensive transition. He isn’t the quickest across the ground albeit no slouch, and one of the concerns with Arsenal pursuing a central midfielder who isn’t ‘Bissouma-quick’ is that they can be found out for turnovers high up the pitch.

Locatelli is nonetheless a brilliant talent only getting better. Against Turkey he started out looking a little awkward before finding his feet on the grandest of stage, and began spraying passes out all over the future with delectable frequency. Growing into the game he began showing his class and alongside the box-to-box brawn of Nico Barella and the composure of Jorginho, he looked strong.

Whether or not Arteta is looking to move into a 4-3-3 or not also makes for an interesting side-note since Locatelli features on the left of a double pivot for his club but can slot into a midfield trio just as well.

That possibility could be one of the main reasons behind Arsenal looking to splash big money on his signature. What comes next will make for interesting viewing, and if some UK-based media provide their own take it will solidify what are already strong links.