Juventus are reportedly edging closer to a deal for Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli with a loan and obligation to buy format which is still €10m off Arsenal’s bid.
According to Sport Mediaset, Juve are preparing a proposal for a two-season loan at a total cost of €10m, plus of course covering his salary.
There would then be an option to buy that could easily become an obligation at €20m plus another €5m in performance-related bonuses.
That would take the total sum to circa €35m, which is still €10m below the offer that Arsenal made.
However, while Sassuolo were more than happy to sell Locatelli to Arsenal, the Italy international made it abundantly clear he had his heart set on Juve and would not agree personal terms with the Gunners.
This is a not dissimilar approach to the one that allowed Juventus to do a deal with Fiorentina for Federico Chiesa last summer.
In that situation too, the player was ready to reject any other option and hold out so that he could force his way into the Bianconeri squad.