Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali was open about Juventus’ interest in Domenico Berardi, Davide Frattesi’s transfer to Inter and why the club invested in Andrea Pinamonti.
The Neroverdi, as is often the case, were one of the more involved clubs in the Serie A summer transfer window, selling Frattesi to the Nerazzurri for around €38m total. Berardi was also heavily linked with moves to Lazio and Juventus, but a transfer never materialised.
Sassuolo have earnt a reputation for developing young talents and in recent years has sold a number to various clubs, including Giacomo Raspadori to Napoli and Manuel Locatelli to Juventus.
Speaking on pages two to seven of today’s Tuttosport, Carnevali first discussed Juventus’ interest in Berardi.
“I have never argued with Juve, precisely because there was never any real negotiations but just an initial contact. Therefore, it was impossible to argue or not understand each other.”
He was asked if the Italian winger could leave the club in January.
“Nothing can ever be ruled out, but a very important offer must arrive, because we don’t need to sell.”
The Sassuolo CEO challenged claims that there was a special relationship with Juventus.
“An absurd story, we do business with everyone. Indeed, amongst the top clubs, Juve are the ones with which we deal less. The truth is that we work with all the clubs, just look at the various transfer windows.”
Carnevali then explained why the Neroverdi spent around €20m on Pinamonti.
“First of all because he is young, born in 1999, and a club who focuses on Italians like ours believes in his qualities.
“Last year he suffered a little from settling in, but we are convinced that this will be his year and that he will be one of the candidates for the role of centre forward in the national team.”
He gave his thoughts on Juventus midfielder Locatelli, who emerged as a talent in Reggio-Emilia.
“All the best possible. I’m very fond of Manuel both on a personal level and as a player. I will always remember the day of his arrival from Milan, the effort, the investment…
“We believed in him and we were right. He can play multiple roles in the middle of the pitch because he is talented, has quality and character. He is one of the best talents in our football.”
Finally, Carnevali discussed Frattesi’s sale to Inter this summer.
“Frattesi had the ambition of going to a top club, but he expressed no preferences. Juve were one of the first to be interested but then, for strategy or for other choices, didn’t close the deal. There were other clubs, from Inter to Napoli who tried quite a bit, and the player made his choice.”
“top club”? then why inter?
“He is one of the best talents in our football.”
Because of thinking like this Italy missed the last 2 world cups.
Keep thinking your players are top talents.
Inter played UCL final and won couple of cups on the way, so he could not make a better choice.
@calciatore10 seriously? Roma was also very interested, so Fratessi obviously chose Inter all over Roma. Have you seen Roma’s trophy cabinet? LOL