Tottenham set sights on Manuel Locatelli
Tottenham Hotspur could do more business in the transfer market before the window shuts having signed Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth last week.
Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli is the latest on their wish list, according to Juve Live, with the player expected to be available for a fee of £20.5 million plus some add-ons.
The Italian international had endured a run of poor form which even cost him his place in Italy’s Euro 2024 squad in Germany earlier this summer. Thiago Motta is not expected to count on the midfielder as a first-choice option, hence opening the door to his departure for Tottenham.
Massimiliano Allegri spoke very highly of Locatelli, however, insisting that the player’s attitude on the pitch is an ‘example for everyone’. The ex-Juventus coach said:
“Locatelli played a game, not from a technical point of view, but from a human one. With heart, with head he is becoming an example for everyone, you never back down.”
Ange Postecoglou is likely to want a midfielder this summer, more so after the departure of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on loan to Marseille.
Locatelli would be the perfect deep-lying option for the Lilywhites and his versatility is a bonus. The 26-year-old can play as the central midfielder in a double pivot, as well as an attacking midfielder just behind the attack.
Postecoglou has always wanted players with the right attitude over elegant qualities and Allegri’s comments about Locatelli being an example for his teammates suggest that the player has the mentality required to be a part of Spurs’ current setup.
The Euro-winning midfielder could also relish the chance of experiencing life in England as it would provide him with an entirely new setting after an inconsistent campaign. He has also never played for a club overseas having spent his career at AC Milan and Sassuolo before Juventus.
In their most recent friendly against Bayern Munich, Tottenham used a three-man midfield. However, that is mainly due to the team being short-staffed in defence and another number six’s signing could mean that the team reverts to a 4-2-3-1 setup with a solid foundation at the back.
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Locatelli would help in doing just that though only time will tell how Spurs go about his signing before the end of the transfer window.
