Juventus star Manuel Locatelli’s brother reveals real REAL reason why midfielder rejected Arsenal transfer
THE brother of Juventus star Manuel Locatelli has revealed why he turned down a move to Arsenal.
The Italian midfielder, 25, joined the Serie A giants on a two-year loan deal from Sassuolo in 2021.
And Juventus have a clause in the transfer which means they are obligated to buy him permanently for £30million this summer.
However, before joining the Turin-based outfit, he was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.
But his brother Mattia has now explained that the love Locatelli has for Juventus made it an easy decision.
Speaking to Calcio Mercato, he said: “I still remember the negotiation [with Juventus]. For him it was very long.
“There was also Arsenal, but he wanted Juventus. The clubs kept meeting, but without reaching an agreement.
“Every day I looked at the Gazzetta to check. In Sassuolo he trained separately, in him the desire to change. A real emotion.
“On the day of his debut, he sent us a photo with the shirt and the words ‘I made it’.”
Continuing to describe Locatelli’s love for Juve, Mattia added: “He gives everything for Juve. He loves those colours.
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“The first days? It didn’t seem real to him. And then I realised there was a reason he was there with them.
“Manuel is very happy to be there. Many guys with whom he has bonded, from Chiellini and Bonucci to Morata and De Ligt.”
Locatelli has made 68 appearances for Juventus, scoring three goals and assisting another five.
He has become a regular in Max Allegri‘s side, starting 17 of their 21 Serie A games so far this season.
However, Juventus’ 15-point deduction for orchestrating a transfer scam has left them down in 10th place, 13 points adrift of the top four.
They are also out of the Champions League after finishing below Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage.
Allegri’s side have dropped down into the Europa League where they will face Nantes in the play-off round.