Serie A midfielder hints at Prem switch amid Man City, Arsenal links

Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli has admitted that a move abroad is an option for him after rumoured interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed two excellent campaigns with the Serie A outfit since quitting boyhood club AC Milan. He also won his first senior cap with Italy last year. That form has seen a number of top European clubs sit up and take notice.

Indeed, Locatelli’s agent claimed in January that City were monitoring the player, with the Gunners and Juventus also linked with the defensive midfield star.

He said: “In the January transfer market Sassuolo will hardly sell the player. Manchester City are one of the teams monitoring him for the next market.”

And now Locatelli has admitted that he is unsure what the future holds. He did admit though that playing abroad is a major option for him.

Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, he said: “I don’t know if this will be my last year here or what the future holds for me.

“When, and if, there are opportunities, we will evaluate them all together.

“Playing abroad is an option for me and at the moment I’m not excluding anything.

Danny Mills: Beat PSG and Manchester City will win Champions League

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills believes the winner of the City and PSG semi-final tie will then go on to lift the Champions League.

“It’s part of my job and it means that I have raised my level.

“Certain certificates of esteem and interest from big clubs increase my motivations. They make me understand I’m on the right track.”

Locatelli has been used mainly as a holding midfielder this season but also has the ability to play further forward. He has scored three league goals and also provided one assist this term.

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Scholes admits City fear over Haaland

Meanwhile, Paul Scholes has admitted he has concerns that Manchester City have an advantage over Manchester United in the race to sign Erling Haaland.

Haaland is believed to of interest to a number of clubs around Europe ahead of the summer transfer window. The striker has caught the eye again this season with his prolific displays for Borussia Dortmund. The 20-year-old has 33 goals and 10 assists in 34 games in all competitions.

And reports in recent weeks suggest that his agent, Mino Raiola, is actively talking to clubs about doing a deal. He has been seen in both Madrid and Barcelona, as well as England.

In the Premier League, United, City and Chelsea are all said to be keen. However, the forward would prefer a move to one of the Manchester clubs if he is to move to the Premier League.

Therefore, a bidding war could be on the cards between the two teams in the coming months. But Scholes believes that the already established links between the Sky Blues and the Haaland family could be the decisive factor.

“You have to think about his dad as well with the City link,’ Scholes told talkSPORT2 (via Daily Mail). “That could be strong in this situation.

“But let’s see. Fingers crossed, if he does move, that he comes to the red side of Manchester.”