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Liverpool's Manuel Locatelli bid could end up being another Eden Hazard for Arsenal
Arsenal have been eyeing a move for Locatelli for much of the summer, but now face competition from Liverpool for the Sassuolo star.
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Liverpool’s surprise pursuit of Manuel Locatelli will give Arsenal an unwelcome reminder of another top target they missed out on nine years ago. Locatelli has been eyed by the Gunners for much of the summer transfer window, but the midfielder is not as keen on moving to the Emirates Stadium.
Instead, he has made it clear that he wants to swap Serie A clubs and join Juventus from Sassuolo.
Despite the Italian international’s wishes though, it appears that a deal between them is stalling, with Juventus dragging their feet.
Sassuolo have now reportedly set them a deadline of next week to stump up the £34million asking price or the negotiations will be called off.
That has peaked the interest of Liverpool, who are searching for a replacement for the departed Georginio Wijnaldum.
The Dutchman was an ever-present in midfield for the Reds last season and will be a major miss as the Merseyside team attempts to challenge for the Premier League title.
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According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, Liverpool now see Locatelli as the man to take Wijnaldum’s place and are close to making an opening offer for the 23-year-old.
While the door has been reopened for Arsenal, the Gunners will be unable to offer Locatelli Champions League football next season.
That puts Liverpool in the driving seat for the Sassuolo star, who helped Italy to win Euro 2020 this summer.
He would certainly fill the gap that Wijnaldum leaves, having missed just four Serie A games last season.
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And if Liverpool do indeed bring him to Anfield, it will bring back reminders of the Gunners’ failed pursuit of Eden Hazard.
Arsenal were one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing the Frenchman from Lille, along with Chelsea and Manchester City.
Though they were able to offer Champions League football to Hazard, the Blues’ financial muscle meant that it was Stamford Bridge where Hazard moved to.
“I’m not surprised at all that he goes to Chelsea, and straight away is one of their stars because everybody knew about him,” then-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said.
“We are not scared to spend the money, but we feel that even if we spend our money, with some clubs we can’t compete on certain players.”
Hazard went on to star at Chelsea, scoring 110 goals and notching 92 assists during a seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
With the Gunners once again set to shunned in favour of another Premier League rival by Locatelli, they will be praying the same thing does not happen again.
While he will not provide the goals and assists that Hazard did, Locatelli’s presence in midfield could be equally as important for Liverpool as the Frenchman’s attacking prowess was to Chelsea.