Aston Villa and West Ham United are reportedly interested in signing 27-year-old Italian international Manuel Locatelli from Serie A club Juventus in January.

According to a report by Radio Radio, as relayed by Tutto Juve, Aston Villa and West Ham United are keen on signing Manuel Locatelli. The two Premier League clubs are keen on reinforcing their first-team squads by signing a versatile midfielder in the winter transfer window. So, the 27-year-old Juventus midfielder has emerged as a target for them.

However, Aston Villa and West Ham are in a three-way battle for Locatelli’s signature, with Wolverhampton Wanderers also interested in him. The three Premier League clubs are ready to make their offers to sign the Lecco native in the winter transfer window.

Manuel Locatelli has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining Juventus from Sassuolo. The Bianconeri initially signed the 27-year-old on loan in August 2021 before completing a permanent move two years later. The player has made nearly 200 appearances thus far for Juventus while chipping in with six goals and 15 assists.

However, Locatelli’s long-term future at Juventus is uncertain, as he is no longer an undisputed first-choice starter for Juventus. However, the Italian midfielder’s stock in the market is high, with Premier League clubs keen on securing his services. Aston Villa and West Ham United are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the winter transfer window.

Aston Villa’s interest in Manuel Locatelli is understandable. The Villans are scouring the market for a holding midfielder amid uncertainties surrounding Youri Tielemans’s long-term future. The Belgian international has attracted interest from several foreign clubs, including Atletico Madrid. So, Locatelli is a viable target for Aston Villa.

As for West Ham United, Locatelli has been on the East London club’s radar for a long time.