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Football London
Football London
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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Mikel Arteta's non-negotiable at Arsenal makes Manuel Locatelli transfer decision even easier

There has been yet another twist in the transfer saga that involves Manuel Locatelli, Arsenal and Juventus.

The 23-year-old looks certain to leave Sassuolo this summer, but where he ends up remains to be seen with the Gunners and the Serie A giants locked in a battle for his signature.

Worryingly, perhaps, for Arsenal is that Locatelli's reported preference would be to stay in Italy and seal a move to Juventus, as they can offer him Champions League football next season.

Of course, there won't be any European football on the table for any player at the Emirates Stadium, but that's not stopped the club from tabling a £34.5million bid for the midfielder.

That is according to the agent of Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, who has been heavily linked with being involved in a swap deal for Locatelli to move in the opposite direction.

So with Juventus not yet reaching an agreement with Sassuolo for Locatelli, it would appear that Arsenal are willing to pounce if the Old Lady drop out of the race.

But would Locatelli be interested in a move to north London?

Well, earlier in the month Italian journalist Paolo Bargiggia claimed that midfielder had said 'no' to joining Arsenal, although it has since been revealed that this is not the case.

A stance that will sit well with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta who has effectively already outlined his one non-negotiable when it comes to signing new players.

"The moment we mention Arsenal, Ian you know what it means around the world," Arteta said in an interview with Arsenal legend Ian Wright last year. "Everybody wants to come here and we have a really clear idea of what we are.

"It doesn't need much convincing and if they do, for me it's not a good starting point. If I have to convince a player to stay or to join us. To Arsenal? (Arteta grimaces) It holds me back a little bit.

"It has to be 'what do we have to do? I want to play for that club and represent exactly the values the style of play that I want'.

"That's the kind of emotion I want to hear at the start.

"And the same with the players that are here. Once you finish what are the feelings you have towards the club? That's what really interests me."

As outlined above, Locatelli would prefer to join Juventus and has ambitions that a deal can be done.

Although the fact that he's not ruling out the prospect of joining Arsenal would indicate he wouldn't need much convincing, thus making any transfer decision even easier.

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