After being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, Manuel Locatelli has, as expected, signed for Juventus on a deal they won’t pay for until 2023.

Arsenal did actually make a bid to buy Manuel Locatelli, offering Sassuolo €40m for his services. The player, however, was never really interested in moving to Arsenal, only wanting a deal to join Juventus.

That has now happened:

https://twitter.com/juventusfcen/status/1428042975997743106

Juventus even posted the transfer agreement they signed with Sassuolo, when Arsenal don’t even tell us transfer fees.

The Old Lady will not pay anything for Locatelli for two years, after which they will pay €25m, with add-ons that could total €12.5m also included.

The agreement read, “AGREEMENT WITH SASSUOLO FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE PLAYER MANUEL LOCATELLI

“Turin, 18 August 2021 – Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that an agreement with U.S. Sassuolo Calcio for the free temporary acquisition, until 30 June 2023, of the registration rights of the player Manuel Locatelli has been finalized.

“The agreement entails the obligation for Juventus to definitely acquire the player’s registrations rights, subject to the achievement of certain given sporting objectives by the end of the season 2022/2023. The agreed consideration for the definitive acquisition is €25 million, payable in three years. Furthermore, a maximum of €12.5 million of cumulative bonuses are envisaged upon achievement of further sporting performance objectives.”

So, to recap, Arsenal offered €40m but Juventus will take him on loan for free for two years when they will then have to pay €25m if he’s met the required ‘objectives’.

That’s quite the deal.

Locatelli has agreed a five-year deal until 2026 after undergoing hius Juventus medical on Wednesday morning.