Newcastle United and West Ham United are reportedly still interested in signing Torino striker Andrea Belotti, who is in demand in Italy.
According to Tutto Mercato Web, Newcastle United and West Ham United retain an interest in capturing the services of Torino striker and captain Andrea Belotti. But they will face competition from a host of clubs from Italy.
Belotti has been with Torino for almost seven years now, having signed from Palermo in 2015. The 28-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Serie A outfit, racking up a tally of 110 goals and 28 assists from 246 appearances.
A regular for the Italian national team, he has 42 caps for the Azzurri, in which he has netted 12 times. The striker was part of the squad that won the UEFA Euro 2020 last year. Belotti has endured a difficult 2021/22 campaign so far, having been struck down by two injuries, which have restricted him to just 17 league appearances and five goals.
Belotti’s time in Torino could come to an end this summer, though, as his contract expires in a couple of months. His potential availability for free has attracted a lot of interest from clubs in Italy. Inter Milan, AS Roma, Atalanta and Fiorentina are all keen on signing the 28-year-old.
In addition, Belotti is also attracting interest from OGC Nice, with the French club already having made moves to assess the possibility of a transfer. At the same time, MLS outfit Toronto FC are also in the running. In addition to all these clubs, Premier League sides Newcastle United and West Ham United are also waiting to swoop in for Belotti in the summer.
Newcastle had been linked with a move for Belotti ahead of the January transfer window. But a move did not materialise. Instead, the Magpies signed Chris Wood, who has added value to the team but is not a prolific goalscorer. Given Callum Wilson’s injury record, it would bode well for Newcastle to sign another striker in the summer, with Belotti emerging as a target again.
West Ham United, too, have been credited with an interest in the Italian international since January. The Hammers, who look set for another season in Europe next term, need to add more quality depth to their attacking unit. A new striker is the need of the hour at the London Stadium, considering Michail Antonio is the only natural option available at David Moyes’s disposal. It makes Belotti a viable target for West Ham.
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Considering the array of clubs vying to sign him, it would likely take a significant contract offer from Newcastle and West Ham to lure Belotti to England. The 28-year-old is yet to make a decision and will see out the season before considering his next move. It remains to be seen where the Italian international ends up come summer.
