Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen on recruiting Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, according to reports in Italy.

JuveLive.it claim that the Gunners boss “wants” to bring the 27-year-old to the Emirates this summer and the Bianconeri could be open to selling him for just €25m (£21m).

With Juve needing funds to rebuild their squad after failing to mount a serious title challenge this season, it appears that Locatelli will be sacrificed.

It is suggested that, if Arsenal are serious about signing the Italian international and they are willing to pay the requisite fee, the Serie A side would find it hard to say no.

Locatelli has already rejected a move to the Emirates once before

The Gunners were heavily linked with the midfielder prior to his transfer to Juventus. In fact, Sassuolo’s sporting director Giovanni Carnevali confirmed that Arteta’s side had tabled a formal bid to sign Locatelli:

“It’s true that there are foreign clubs interested, including Arsenal, and so far they are ahead and are the only side realistically to have made an important proposal for Manuel.”

However, the player had his heart set on a move to Turin and he secured his switch (initially on loan) in the summer of 2021.

Arsenal are set to revamp their midfield

Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi does look poised to join the London club at the end of the season but, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both expected to leave when their contracts expire in June, Arteta will be keen to snap up replacements for both players.

That is why the reported interest in Locatelli does make a lot of sense. The Italian is likely to be available for a relatively low price and he could provide cover in the No.6 position.

Read our exclusive interview with Shaun Wright-Phillips as he talks about Arsenal’s striker dilemma and a potential move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.