Torino forward Andrea
Belotti could be on the move this summer with Chelsea said to be among the
clubs harbouring a keen interest in his signature.
Torino
striker and reported Chelsea target Andrea Belotti is unlikely to
renew his current deal with the Serie A relegation candidates, according
to reports from Italy. The Blues are on the lookout for a new striker ahead of
next season, with their current options somewhat limited for a side with
genuine ambitions of winning domestic and European silverware.
Veteran
striker Olivier Giroud is approaching the end of his career at 34 years of age,
while Tammy Abraham has struggled to convince Thomas Tuchel of his first-team
credentials since the German manager’s arrival.
Meanwhile,
summer signing Timo Werner has often been deployed in a supporting role after
failing to live up to expectations when trusted to start at the tip of
Chelsea’s attacking trident.
Tuchel has been
forced to field Kai Havertz up top in a number of recent outings, highlighting
his side’s dire need for a world-class striker to lead the line.
Borussia Dortmund talisman Erling Haaland is
said to be at the top of Chelsea’s summer wish list, but the Bundesliga outfit
are unlikely to part ways with their star man for anything less than
£130million.
The Norway international’s hefty price tag
has seen the Blues draw up a list of alternative options.
Inter Milan star and former Chelsea forward
Romelu Lukaku has been linked with a summer return to Stamford Bridge, with his
contributions in front of goal this season helping the San Siro giants put one
hand on their first Scudetto since 2010.
Torino’s Belotti is believed to be another
back-up target amid the current uncertainty over his immediate future.
Chelsea could have a strong chance of landing
the 27-year-old this summer, as he is not expected to commit to extended terms
with his current employers, according to Tuttosport.
Belotti will be out of contract at the end of
next season, and the report claims that there is ‘no sign of optimism’ to
suggest that he will agree to a new deal.
The
27-year-old is yet to sign a new contract.
If he decides
to refuse all offers, there is the possibility that he will be sold during the
summer months to avoid his departure on a free transfer next year.
Belotti has started all but two of his side’s
Serie A matches since the beginning of the campaign, chipping in with 12 goals
and six assists in the process.
His contributions at the top of the pitch
have helped Torino to steer clear of the drop zone and aid the club’s ambition
of retaining their top-flight status into next season.
However, if Il Toro are relegated against the
odds, he would surely be angling for a move as he is unlikely to be willing to
stick around and play Serie B football.
Reports have claimed that Belotti is valued
at around £85m, but this figure could drop significantly if his side fail to
stay up this season.
Torino president Urbano Cairo suggested in
February that the club would do everything in their power to keep hold of their
star man, suggesting that their hopes of brokering a new deal are not
completely dead in the water.
“He’s
scored so many goals, he is a leader and our relationship must continue,” Cairo
told Radio Anch’io Sport.
“I know [Torino sporting director Davide]
Vagnati is working on his contract extension and I am going to take the field
too. That’s our target and we’ll make an announcement when there will be
something to say.
“We want to extend his contract and I don’t
see why he should not have the same idea. He’s spent six seasons at Torino,
he’s done a lot for us and Torino have done a lot for him.”
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