Arsenal HAVE tabled a £34million bid to sign Manuel Locatelli, agent claims

Arsenal have made a £34million bid for Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli, the agent of a youngster linked with a swap deal for the 23-year-old has claimed.

The Gunners have been strongly linked with the Italian star as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his midfield ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. Arsenal have already signed Albert Sambi Lokonga in an £18m deal from Anderlecht this week.

The North Londoners will face stern competition for Locatelli's signature, with Italian giants Juventus reportedly holding talks with their Serie A rivals over a move for the Azzurri star.

Juve youngster Nicolo Fagioli is rumoured to be on the table for a player-plus-cash deal, with the Old Lady believed to be willing to offer £25m plus the 20-year-old.

However, Fagioli's agent, Andrea D'Amico, has moved to quash rumours of his client leaving Turin this summer, revealing to Sky Sport Italia that Arsenal have tabled a £34m bid for Locatelli in the process.

'Juventus would like to sign Locatelli and Arsenal have already offered €40m (£34m),' he said via Evening Standard.

'But I can assure you that, as of today, Fagioli has not been included in the deal.

'Massimiliano Allegri wants to see him in training to understand if he can be useful during the season.'

Arsenal's offer of £34m meets Sassuolo's valuation of the 23-year-old, but it is understood that Locatelli holds reservations over a move to the English capital.

Locatelli would prefer to play at a club that can offer Champions League football, and his reluctance to switch to the Emirates and the club are said to only be willing to recruit players who fully support their project.

Elsewhere, Sassuolo are eyeing a move for Liverpool's Marko Grujic should they part ways with Locatelli this summer. The Anfield outcast is valued at £12m but the Italians may face competition from Porto for the Serb's signature.