Arsenal are heavily scouting Torino superstar Andrea Belotti with a view to a move this summer, according to reports
According to Transfer Market Web, along with Manchester United and Chelsea, Arsenal have been scouting Italian superstar Andrea Belotti and will send scouts once more as Torino visit Juventus on Saturday night.
They claim that Arsenal already tried signing Belotti previously and that despite the fact that Torino will not sell the 23-year old for a fee less than €100 million – the player’s release clause – the Gunners remain undeterred and are continuing to track the Italian international.
Belotti, who joined Torino from Palermo in 2015 for a fee of €7.5 million, has quickly shot to prominence after his brilliant displays for Torino this season. The 23-year-old boasts a hugely impressive return of 27 goals and 6 assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.
TransferMarketWeb claim that both Manchester United and Chelsea are scouting the 23-year old as well and the two sides have been linked with Belotti several times over the last few months, which comes as no surprise given his performances.
United reportedly tabled a €75 million bid for Belotti although this is likely just a starting point for negotiations, as Torino will definitely be looking to get the highest fee possible and will not sell him for a single Euro below his release clause.
Wayne Rooney is set to leave the club at the end of the season and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s future at Old Trafford uncertain as well following his injury, United definitely need quality reinforcements up front.
Chelsea have also been constantly linked with the Italian international and also reportedly had a €60 million bid for the striker rejected last month. Diego Costa could be on his way out of the club at the end of the season and Chelsea will also need reinforcements given the added pressure of European competition next season.
Antonio Conte will also know Belotti well from his time as the manager of the Italian national side and the chance to work with Conte could be a very attractive prospect for Belotti, whose combination of pace and finishing ability makes him a good candidate to succeed Diego Costa up front.
Arsenal are also in need of some surgery to their squad after failing to seriously challenge for major honours yet again this season, although they might have more trouble signing them given that there is a highly realistic chance they will not qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.
In any case, the interest will be exactly what Torino want should they choose to sell Belotti as an all out bidding war will only benefit the club when it comes to negotiations. However, it remains to be seen if the club will actually agree to sell the Italian international in the summer.
