Rome (AFP)

Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli, one of the revelations of the Euro won this summer by Italy, signed Wednesday for Juventus Turin, announced the club bianconero.

Locatelli, 23, will first be loaned for free for two seasons before being bought by the Turinese as part of a global operation of around 37.5 million euros (bonus included), said the Juventus in a statement.

"Manuel, with Bernardeschi, Bonucci, Chiellini and Chiesa, brings up to five the number of Bianconeri who participated in the incredible Euro-2020 expedition", said Juve in a statement confirming the arrival of the medium.

Locatelli arrived in Turin on Wednesday morning to undergo the medical examination prior to his transfer, the day after the financial agreement concluded between Juve and Sassuolo.

He was greeted by a few dozen supporters upon his arrival at the club's medical center, according to images released by Juve on their social networks.

After the finalization of this transfer, discussed for many weeks, "Loca" could make his debut in the bianconero jersey on Sunday for the first day of Serie A on the Udinese field.

With his technical ease and his enthusiasm, Locatelli had embodied during the Euro the rebirth of the Italian team, crowned European champion in July.

Sassuolo's midfielder had notably replaced Marco Verratti impeccably, injured at the start of the tournament, by signing a brace against Switzerland (3-0) during the group stage.

He also came into play in knockout matches, including the semi-finals and the final, won on penalties against Spain and England.

This Euro was the culmination of a growing season for the one who only had his first selection in September 2020.

Manuel Locatelli scorer for Italy against Switzerland at the Euro, on June 16, 2021 at the Olympic stadium in Rome Alessandra Tarantino POOL / AFP / Archives

Locatelli made his Serie A debut in 2016, at just 18, in the AC Milan jersey.

But after a flamboyant start, and a goal remembered against Juventus (1-0), he was slow to confirm.

It is under the jersey of Sassuolo, where he evolved since 2018, that "Loca" continued to grow quietly, in a role of facilitator in front of the defense, able to defend but also to guide the game.

Since the beautiful Euro of the Azzurri, Juve and his new coach, the returning Massimiliano Allegri, had made Locatelli their priority to strengthen the midst of Juve, a weak point in recent seasons of the team dispossessed in May of the scudetto it has held continuously since 2012.

The player himself would have dismissed offers from the Premier League (Arsenal), determined to join Juve.

© 2021 AFP