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4 months ago
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And what if, in addition to Roberto De Zerbi, Olympique de Marseille managed to bring in one of its favorite players? According to Foot Mercato, the rumors of OM’s interest in Manuel Locatelli, the Juventus Turin midfielder, are not fanciful. Better still, Pablo Longoria and Mehdi Benatia, who both have an important connection with the bianconero club, would be on the move to try to bring in the Italian international.
It could be a loan with an option to buy, since a dry transfer does not seem to be within the scope of the Phocéens at the moment and without European competition to play. Locatelli, who was recruited for 36 million euros from Sassuolo, knows Roberto De Zerbi very well and, in a period where Juve is preparing to experience a transition and a period of reconstruction, would be ready to join his former coach in France.
A blocked future at Juve and a reunion with De Zerbi?
In the Turin midfield, Locatelli could see Douglas Luiz, Khephren Thuram and Teun Koopmeiners land in the coming weeks, which would create difficulties in terms of distribution of playing time. Selling the 28-year-old player, European champion with Italy in 2022 would be the preferred option at the moment in Piedmont.
After his first season at Juventus, Manuel Locatelli declared in Gazzetta dello Sport: “ I feel close to De Zerbi because he changed my life. We talk often. (…) We will see each other again in the future (…) We both hope so.” De Zerbi, himself, had confided that Locatelli was his most important player in midfield. We hope OM succeeds in bringing in the midfielder who also played for AC Milan, in order to allow the two Transalpines to celebrate a reunion that could be productive.
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
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