After an incredibly long negotiation, Juventus have finalized their second, and maybe last, purchase of the summer. They officially announced earlier today to have captured Manuel Locatelli from Sassuolo, whom they have been targeting for over a year now.
The final terms of the deal are slightly different than what was originally reported. The formula will indeed be a two-year loan with a conditioned obligation to buy. Juventus will pay €25M to make the transfer permanent in 2022/2023. Moreover, they might give Sassuolo €12.5M add-ons depending on the team and player’s performances. The final sum could amount to €37.5M.
Locatelli joined the Neroverdi from Milan in 2018. They redeemed him a year later for €14M. He blossomed in the last two campaigns and in particular in 2020-2021. He finished his most productive season with four goals and three assists. The midfielder hit the net 7 times and set up 11 teammates in 99 matches during his time in Emilia.
The 23-year-old opened the Euro as the starter before Marco Verratti fully recovered from injury. He found the target twice in the second match against Switzerland. He has 15 caps and 3 total goals with the Azzurri. Locatelli will come in handy right away for Juventus. They are short on midfielders for the opening match against Udinese. Weston McKennie is suspended, while Adrien Rabiot and Arthur are nursing physical problems.
Sassuolo recently acquired Matheus Henrique from Gremio to replace the Italian starlet. Moreover, they will likely keep Davide Frattesi on the roster after two productive loan spells at Monza and Empoli.