Report: European club set £34m price tag for Arsenal target; Wenger wanted him in 2016

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Sassuolo have set a €40m (£34m) price tag for star midfielder Manuel Locatelli, with Arsenal interested in the Italian international.

Gazzetta dello Sport report that the Gunners, as well as Borussia Dortmund, are keen on Locatelli. Juventus are also keen on the 23-year-old, who has been one of the standout names at Euro 2020.

Arsenal have had a long-standing interest in the former AC Milan star. As reported by Goal, Arsene Wenger was a big fan of the midfielder during his teenage years with the Rossoneri in 2016. However, the former Gunners boss never made an official move for Locatelli.

Since moving to Sassuolo, the midfielder has flourished into one of the most exciting players in Italian football. As per Cult of Calcio, the deep-lying playmaker is known for his on-the-ball qualities as well as his ability to distribute play with accuracy and speed.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are close to making their first two signings of the window. Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares is likely to join the club, as well as R.S.C. Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Locatelli could be perfect Xhaka replacement at Arsenal

Indeed, with Granit Xhaka set to leave Arsenal this summer as reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners will need more than just Lokonga as a replacement for the 28-year-old midfielder.

Yet Locatelli could be a dream signing for Mikel Arteta this summer. The Italian plays a similar role to Xhaka and is four years younger than the Swiss captain.

However, the Italian comes with the added advantage of being mobile enough to drive further up the pitch as well as have the mentality and awareness to not make sloppy and costly mistakes of the blue.