Potential Liverpool target Manuel Locatelli has said that he will not decide his future until after Euro 2020.
The Sassuolo star is expected to leave the Serie A side this summer after an outstanding 2020/21.
Juventus have been strongly linked, but now seem likely to go for Miralem Pjanic instead.
Last week, RTK highlighted the fact that Liverpool should take advantage of this and attempt to sign Locatelli as a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum.
However, if the Reds do want to sign the 23-year-old, they will have to wait until he is finished playing at Euro 2020.
Speaking in a press conference today, Locatelli said: “It’s just talk. There’s such an important competition to play in, and I’m only focused on this.
“I rely on what happens on the pitch, the real things. Everything else is just gossip, it’s useless to talk about it.
“It’s normal that there are market rumours, but the maturity I’m talking about is the step where I don’t allow myself to be influenced.
“I know that I will have to make some decisions after the European Championship. I talked to (Sassuolo CEO Giovanni) Carnevali, we are aware of the path to take.”
Locatelli would be worth the wait for Liverpool
From Locatelli’s quotes, it seems obvious that he will move somewhere this year.
Locatelli is clearly playing his cards close to his chest. He obviously has a good idea of who wants him and what moves are possible.
The Italian is good enough to play for any team on the planet.
He is excellent when played as a 6, which he often is for Sassuolo, or as an 8, where he usually plays for Italy.
This would make him the perfect replacement for Wijnaldum at Liverpool.
While there hasn’t been much word of the club being linked with him, the Reds often sign players from seemingly out of nowhere.
If it gets to the end of the Euros and Liverpool still haven’t signed a midfielder, expect the Locatelli rumours to hot up.
Especially if the £34m asking price reported by Goal is accurate.
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