Tottenham interested in Italy midfielder, says report

According to Turin-based outlet Juve Live, Tottenham Hotspur have been sounded out as a potential suitor for Manuel Locatelli this summer.

The Italian publication says Spurs could offer 24 million Euros plus bonuses for the midfielder. They say he is ready to leave The Old Lady should another club project appeal to him, and Tottenham's project does appeal to the midfielder.

Locatelli was controversially not included in Italy's squad for the European Championships, where the defending champions crashed out to Switzerland in the round of 16, having won the tournament when the Juventus midfielder was in the squad back in 2021.

Despite seemingly being willing to leave the club, and Juventus being willing to relinquish his services for a somewhat modest fee, the 26-year-old has started all four of the club's friendlies so far this summer under new manager Thiago Motta.

Locatelli is a cultured midfielder, who is extremely good on the ball and able to control a game - making him seen as many as a good fit under a manager who played in a very similar way. Alas, it seems like a deal could be struck this summer if the above reports turn out to be correct.

READ MORE: Player chooses Tottenham over Real Madrid, PSG, Man Utd and other top clubs

Tottenham interested in Italy midfielder, says report

The 28-time capped Italian international played with current Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur at Juventus for six months in the 21/22 season, which could help him find it easier to settle in. He also played with Dejan Kulusevski that season - and is an international teammate of Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie.

With Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Pape Sarr, and Rodrigo Bentancur, Spurs do have plenty of options in the double pivot for a new midfielder to not be an urgent need, but Locatelli would give a level of technical security and control that the above midfielders can't quite offer.

That being said, with those options, Spurs definitely do have more pressing issues, such as finding cover for Destiny Udogie at left-back, and it would be a surprise if they made a move for Locatelli instead of elsewhere. The Juventus midfielder as well as Udogie cover would be great - but with the financial outlay on Dominic Solanke, it would be pretty hard to imagine Spurs sanctioning both deals.