According to reports from The Express this morning, Sassuolo have issued a hands-off warning to potential suitors of star forward Domenico Berardi.
The 21 year-old is one of Serie A’s most exciting talents, boasting a potent haul of 44 goals in 110 appearances for the Mapei Stadium outfit and regularly featuring for Italy’s U21 squad.
He impressively bagged his first 30 league goals in just 59 games – reaching the landmark quicker than four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi – and last term claimed the most joint most assists of any player in Serie A, ten.
Reports earlier this month suggested the 6 foot 1 forward could become one of Jurgen Klopp’s first signings as Liverpool boss, having tracked him whilst in charge of Borussia Dortmund.
Back then a complicated co-ownership agreement with Juventus stood in the way. But Sassuolo purchased Berardi’s full playing rights this summer in a deal that saw Simone Zaza go the other way, meaning the Reds would only have to negotiate with one party – although the Serie A champs still have a buy-back clause for next summer.
But according to The Express, Sassuolo managing director Giovanni Carnevali has issued a clear hands off warning to Berardi’s rumoured suitors.
He told Italian publication TuttoSport; “I can rule out a January move. That’s not part of our company policy. Last year, we invested €10m (£7.2m) in him. For now Berardi is completely a Sassuolo player and we’re not a club that needs to sell.”
Regarding the issue of Juve’s buy-back clause, he added; “With Juventus it’s an open discussion. It’s an advantage, but Juventus are not the only ones to be following Berardi.”