Sassuolo chief executive Giovanni Carnevali has confirmed that the Italian outfit are currently locked in talks with an overseas club about the possibility of midfielder Manuel Locatelli sealing a summer exit.
The Italy international, who will be hoping to start Sunday's Euro 2020 final against England at Wembley, has been heavily linked with an exit from the Sassuolo in the last few weeks, following a string of fine performances on the international stage.
Amongst the clubs to have been heavily linked with a move for his signature are Arsenal, who are desperate to add a new central-midfielder to their ranks this summer as part of manager Mikel Arteta's summer overhaul.
But despite the Gunners having tabled an official bid for Locatelli's services last week, it has since been reported that the 23-year-old has his heart set on joining Serie A heavyweights Juventus, who are also very keen to lay their hands on his signature this summer.
However, a fresh update from Sassuolo chief Carnevali may have hinted that Arsenal are now back into a strong position to sign the central-midfielder, although the club that the Serie A outfit are currently in talks with has not been named.
"We’re in talks for Locatelli with one club from abroad... and it’s really advanced," Carnevali said on Sky Italia, as relayed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.
"We’re going to meet with Juventus in the next days, but there are no negotiations yet with Juve as Italian clubs are in difficult financial situation."
Recently, Arsenal and Juventus have been the two clubs that have been linked with Locatelli most, meaning it is quite possible that this unnamed overseas club could be the Gunners, although nothing can be certified.
But with the Gunners having tabled a concrete bid for him last week it could certainly be possible.
Juventus are desperate to sign Locatelli just as much as Arsenal, but their financial troubles could put pay to their aspirations of getting a deal over the line.
Arsenal have been long-term admirers of Locatelli, who is currently valued at £34million, so much so that they were interested in signing him all the way back in 2016.
