Tottenham: Manuel Locatelli must be clear Sandro Tonali transfer alternative already
Tottenham Hotspur are aiming for a more prosperous 2026-27 season under Roberto De Zerbi, and Manuel Locatelli could be the key to this.
De Zerbi launched the top-level career of the Italian midfielder at Sassuolo, and he could be the perfect alternative to transfer target Sandro Tonali.
On Tuesday, the news emerged that the Lilywhites are interested in the Newcastle talisman, who goes into the summer off the back of another strong year in the North East.
However, a deal could prove difficult, with the Magpies demanding around £100million for his services.
Having brought him to England for £55m back in 2023, Newcastle will be keen to make a profit on the midfielder, while Nottingham Forest's £120m valuation of Elliot Anderson makes matters more difficult.
Though the perfect alternative must be staring right at De Zerbi, in Juventus controller Locatelli, who has previously shone under him.
Manuel Locatelli and Roberto De Zerbi have history - just how important was he?
Sassuolo are one of the smallest clubs in Serie A, if not the smallest, representing the Emilia-Romagna town of just over 40,000 people.
Though under De Zerbi, they continued to punch above their weight, becoming one of the league’s most entertaining teams in the process.
Following promotion to Serie A for the first time in the club's history in 2013, the Neroverdi remained inconsistent in the top flight before De Zerbi guided them to eighth place in his second season - their highest finish in history - missing out on the Europa League on goal difference.
Operating as the link between defence and attack, Locatelli took on something of a 'hub' role in midfield, with everything going through him.
And this was where Locatelli shone, with his speed of thought, excellent passing range, and intelligence all coming to the fore, allowing the mercurial talents of wideman Domenico Berardi to take on a talismanic role in the final third.
As a result, both Berardi and Locatelli were called up to the Italian national team ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament, which the Azzurri went on to win.
Moving on to Juventus that same year, it has not been plain sailing for the midfielder, with the Bianconeri's crisis era heavily impacting him.
However, if Tottenham are in need of an alternative to Tonali due to the high demands, Locatelli's history with De Zerbi may just see him become a wanted man in North London.
Roberto De Zerbi will be thinking of dream Tottenham scenario
For him to have made the move in the first place, De Zerbi will have been told that the backing is there to mould the team in his own image.
At previous clubs, the Italian has remained combustible, and has never avoided shying away from comments surrounding recruitment.
If he were to have it all his own way this summer, Locatelli and Tonali together would surely be his dream scenario.
With the non-stop energy of Tonali and the controlling abilities of Locatelli, the pair could become the midfield duo he has been waiting for, with the 46-year-old unable to land on a consistent combination in the season's final days.
Of course, this is a pipe dream for now, with Spurs potentially looking for an alternative should the Tonali fee be deemed too steep.
However, De Zerbi has proven his worth in gold when it comes to his use of midfielders, and may just have some breathing room to convince the hierarchy regarding Locatelli, given his role in launching his career.