Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli has reportedly confirmed his desire to join Juventus.

The Gunners are desperate to add reinforcements to their squad ahead of the new season.

Locatelli emerged as a key target for the London club, but Juventus also have a firm interest in securing his signature.

"Arsenal have made an official bid for Locatelli," Sassuolo chief Giovanni Carnevali told reporters last week, per football.london.

"They're pushing hard to sign Manuel and it's an important bid... we will see.

"Juventus also want Locatelli and we have a special relationship with them. A new meeting has been scheduled with Juve.

"We are trying to leave the lad calm, so I haven't spoken to him or his agents yet.

"We can think about Locatelli's future, but above all we care about his present and that means Italy doing well at the Euros."

Now Italian journalist Paolo Bargiggia has added, per Sport Witness: "Juventus will take him for sure. The boy said no to Arsenal.

"The formula is complex: Juve are doing everything not to take him under the obligation of redemption, while Sassuolo push.

"There's talk of a €40m operation. Eventually, it will do: one way or another."