Juventus market, bid coming in for much-criticized champion

After a rather complicated first part of the season, Juventus is desperate to change gears in order to climb the standings, which currently see them seventh, 8 points behind top-ranked Milan. The Bianconeri managers expected the arrival of Luciano Spalletti in place of Igor Tudor to have some effect but at the moment there has not been the much hoped-for reaction and now they will try to correct things with the winter market. Among the Old Lady&#8217s priorities is the’purchase of a new midfielder more functional to Luciano Spalletti&#8217s tactics, more dynamic than the elements already in the squad.

Ernesto Villa

could be coming soon

To make room for the possible purchase, Manuel Locatelli, who is not centered in the Bianconeri team strategies and does not have a great feeling with Luciano Spalletti, could be sold. Already in his national team days, the coach from Certaldo had justified the lack of convocation of the Juventus player in this way: “Manuel Locatelli has a good foot, exceptional defensive qualities, but perhaps he is a bit’ too conservative for where the role is going”. On the trail of the’former AC Milan player are a number of Arab clubs, who had already sounded the ground in the past and may try a new assault in the January market.

The’indiscretion sparked a great debate on social media, with the vast majority of bianconeri users in favor of Manuel Locatelli’s transfer. “Let’s carry him to Saudi Arabia before the sheikhs change their minds” wrote one user. Of the same opinion another Juventus fan: “I hope the management will kick him out immediately, we should have gotten rid of him years ago but we cannot miss this chance”. Last summer some emissaries from the Saudi Pro League made initial contacts with Locatelli’s entourage but the player politely declined despite the fact that a maxi contract was at stake. In January, things could change and Locatelli could give in to the Arabs’ court.

Grown up in the youth ranks of AC Milan, Manuel Locatelli seemed destined to become a Rossoneri bastion, then things did not go well and in 2018 the star player moved to Sassuolo for €14 million. With the neroverde shirt Locatelli matured a lot and convinced Juventus to invest more than 35 million euros to bring him to Turin in 2021. After an initial adjustment period, the midfielder has become a fixture in the Bianconeri lineup.

His experience in Turin, however, is characterized by ups and downs: Locatelli has not always been able to express his qualities and is often at the center of fierce criticism from Bianconeri fans. The’possible move to Saudi Arabia would certainly be very positive for Manuel Locatelli&#8217s finances but could oust him from the national team&#8217s tour.