The transfer window is closed but that doesn’t mean it’s all quiet on that front.

Usually a month or two after the window shuts we start to hear stories from players and agents about deals that stalled for a variety of reasons. This summer, Arsenal failed on a number of fronts, although that is standard and not unique to our club by any means.

One of the players they attempted to lure to the Emirates was AC Milan’s Manuel Locatellli, a player we were linked with back in April – first in a fight with Leicester for his signature and then in a swap deal featuring Theo Walcott by the same site that is now featuring details on the attempted deal.

Calciomercato are now claiming that the player was persuaded to remain with the Italians by Vincenzo Montella and vice-president, Adriano Galliani, and they want to get him to extend his contract, which expires in 2018.

So who is he?

Locatelli is an 18-year-old central midfielder who can also play as a defensive mid.

manuel-locatelli-positions

A tall player standing at 6’1”, he has already been earmarked as a future captain of the Azzuri.

With just the two games in Serie A last season, he’s already doubled that this as Milan try to show him that he has a future with them. One goal in 108 minutes of action is a decent return as well, though he has yet to start a game.

An international at u19 level for Italy, he has 16 caps for them at that level (and one goal) after working his way up through the international youth ranks, playing at u15, 16 and 17 level.

He’s been with AC Milan since he was 12, moving there from Atalanta in 2010.

He is expected to sign a new deal until 2020 with a significant salary increase.

He currently earns €300k per year (approx. £5k per week).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9rQjsG8c_g