Everton, Newcastle United, and West Ham United have been offered 28-year-old Italian striker Andrea Belotti, who is available on a free transfer this summer.
According to The Sun, Italian striker Andrea Belotti has been offered to several Premier League clubs, including Everton, Newcastle United, and West Ham United. The three clubs are in need of a striker and have been given the chance to secure the former Torino hitman’s services.
The 28-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Torino expired on June 30 as he opted against penning fresh terms after seven years with the Turin giants, having signed from Palermo in 2015.
Belotti was a consistent performer for the Serie A outfit, racking up a tally of 113 goals and 28 assists from 251 appearances. It should also be noted that he singlehandedly dragged them out of precarious relegation scenarios a couple of times during that stint, earning him cult-hero status along the way.
His consistency and work rate helped him become a mainstay for the Italian national team, and he was a member of the squad that won the UEFA Euro 2020 last year. However, Belotti had a rough 2021/22 season, having been sidelined by two injuries that limited him to just 22 Serie A outings and eight goals.
It is actually quite astonishing that Belotti is leaving Torino on a free transfer as back in 2017 he was subject of a €70 million bid from AC Milan after he netted 26 Serie A goals in the season previous to that. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old is on the move and has been linked with numerous clubs over the last couple of weeks.
Some of his suitors include AS Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, OGC Nice, Atalanta, AS Roma, AC Milan, and Monza. And The Sun has claimed that his agent is trying to shop him around the Premier League as well, with West Ham United, Everton, and Newcastle United all being offered a chance to sign him on a Bosman transfer.
Everton, for one, are keen on bolstering their attacking options, especially following the loss of Richarlison. Manager Frank Lampard will look to avoid another relegation battle next season, but their 4-0 loss to MLS side Minessota United in a pre-season friendly does not paint a very rosy picture of what is to come.
As such, Belotti will bring a breath of fresh air to the Everton front line, and his leadership qualities, as well as past experience of relegation battles with Torino, will be valuable for the cash-strapped Toffees.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have been on the lookout for a new frontman, with their long-drawn pursuit of Hugo Ekitike proving fruitless. Despite the deep pockets of their new owners, Newcastle risk heading into the new Premier League season with Chris Wood and Callum Wilson as their only centre-forwards after Dwight Gayle left for Stoke City.
Newcastle are considering alternative options such as Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. But they might benefit by signing a capable striker like Belotti on a free transfer, as that would allow them to spend their leftover funds on acquiring a quality winger.
Also Read: Three Hugo Ekitike alternatives for Newcastle United
Similarly, West Ham need backup and competition for Michail Antonio, with European football once again on the horizon next season. But the Hammers are unlikely to sign Belotti, having already agreed personal terms with Gianluca Scamacca ahead of a €36 million move.
