Arsenal Transfer News: Manuel Locatelli Signing Attempt Reported, Latest Rumours

Arsenal reportedly tried to sign AC Milan youngster Manuel Locatelli in the summer, but the Serie A giants rejected their bid out of hand.

According to Calciomercato.com's Fabrizio Romano, Gunners chief scout Neil Banfield watched the 18-year-old playmaker several times last season and Arsenal subsequently made an offer for him that "Milan rejected without thinking twice."

Italian Locatelli made just two Serie A appearances last season but has broken into the side under manager Vincenzo Montella in 2016-17. 

He has netted twice in 370 minutes of Serie A action so far this term, playing predominantly in his preferred role as a central midfielder, per WhoScored.com.

Largely unknown to many before this season, Locatelli is comfortable on the ball, defensively astute and has an eye for goal, as you can see below:

His second goal of the current campaign was the recent winner in Milan's 1-0 victory over defending champions Juventus at the San Siro.

Against the Old Lady, Locatelli put in a superb display and showed signs that he could be a top-level player, per Squawka:

Arsenal picked up on the teenager's obvious talent but were not able to prise him away from the Rossoneri.

Per the Sun's Andrew Richardson, he has been compared to the likes of Demetrio Albertini, Andrea Pirlo, Mark van Bommel and Riccardo Montolivo.

Arsenal already have plenty of adept central midfielders but likely saw Locatelli as a potential future star of their engine room.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has a proud history of getting the best from young talents, and he could well have done great things with Locatelli.

As it is, the Italian youth international remained in Milan and could be a key player for the Serie A giants as they look to return to the upper echelons of European football.