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Manchester United join Roma and Juventus in race for sought-after Sassuolo star: report

  Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds during his side's 0-0 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford in March 2023.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag applauds during his side’s 0-0 draw against Southampton at Old Trafford in March 2023.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi and poised to join a summer transfer battle with Juventus and Roma.

The 23-year-old is a wanted man in Italy after impressing over the last two seasons in the Italian top flight.

Frattesi could find himself at the center of a transfer tussle this summer, according to reports in Italy.

Roma head coach Jose Mourinho celebrates with the trophy after his team won the UEFA Europa Conference League final football match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at the Air Albania Stadium in Tirana on May 25, 2022.

Roma head coach Jose Mourinho celebrates with the trophy after his team won the UEFA Europa Conference League final football match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at the Air Albania Stadium in Tirana on May 25, 2022.

Tuttomercatoweb writes that Juventus have alerted Sassuolo of their interest as they see him as a potential replacement for Adrien Rabiot, who could leave on a free at the end of his contract in July.

However, uncertainty surrounding the Frenchman’s future and whether Juve will qualify for Europe next season has complicated matters in Turin.

Frattesi is said to be tempted by a Juve switch, but his boyhood club Roma are also in the frame.

The Giallorossi have a useful bargaining chip – Sassuolo agreed to a 30% future sale fee when they signed Frattesi from Roma in 2017, and this could allow the capital club to negotiate a lower price than the €30m being requested by the Neroverdi.

Davide Frattesi of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Sassuolo at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy on 29 October 2022.

Davide Frattesi of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and US Sassuolo at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy on 29 October 2022.

Gazzetta dello Sport believes that United have been following Frattesi’s progress for some time and could make an offer as soon as the transfer window opens.

Frattesi, who has a deal until 2026 with Sassuolo, is valued at €22m by Transfermarkt.

He has shone over the last two seasons in Reggio Emilia, first under Roberto De Zerbi and now under Alessio Dionisi, and has scored six goals in 27 Serie A games this term.

Frattesi is a dynamic central midfielder with an eye for goal, and earned his first four Azzurri caps last year in the UEFA Nations League – two of which came against England.

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