- 11 hours ago
Who could sign Andrea Belotti this summer?
Andrea Belotti is a wanted man. The Torino striker has been in good form this season and is being targeted by a number of clubs across Europe who are looking to add firepower to their squads over the summer.
It may be a surprise to some that he has remained with Torino given the attention he received during his most prolific season back in 2016/17, which saw him score 26 Serie A goals. He currently has 12 this season, and seems likely to match last year’s total of 16.
At the age of 27, the Italy international is approaching a crossroads in his career. Now may be the best time for a move, and we’ve taken a look at the clubs reportedly interested in him.
Read more: Five potential Zlatan Ibrahimovic replacements for Milan
Milan
Although it looks likely that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will sign a new one-year contract at San Siro, with the Rossoneri looking set to return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014, it would be sensible to add another reliable option in attack.
Although Brazilian Rafael Leao is undoubtedly a talented player, he is hardly prolific enough to help Milan compete in Europe’s premier club competition and maintain a push for the scudetto. He has just six goals to his name this term. Belotti would suit this move.
Everton
The Toffees have struggled to find an answer up front when Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn’t fit, as evidenced by their ineffectuality at Brighton on Monday night. While Carlo Ancelotti is a huge fan of the England striker, he is in need of other options.
Calvert-Lewin has become more prolific over recent seasons and has scored 14 Premier League goals this term. But Ancelotti was forced to partner Richarlison and James Rodriguez at the AMEX Stadium, and somebody like Belotti would fit the bill at Goodison Park.
Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel may well be in the market for a new striker this summer. He appears to have lost faith in Tammy Abraham, while Timo Werner, who has rarely been deployed centrally by either Tuchel or his predecessor Frank Lampard this season, has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League.
Alternatives are currently in short supply for Tuchel, with 34-year-old Olivier Giroud not getting any younger, despite remaining an effective and dependable option when called upon. The Blues have long been linked with Erling Haaland, but a move for the Borussia Dortmund striker seems a long way off; Belotti represents a more realistic option.
Atletico Madrid
It would be difficult to see Atletico signing Belotti for no other reason than they already have a number of high profile options. While the other clubs on this list are undoubtedly in need of a striker, that arguably isn’t the case here.
Injuries and COVID issues have hampered Diego Simeone of late, with top scorer Luis Suarez, Marcos Llorente and Moussa Dembele all missing Sunday’s draw at real Betis, while Joao Felix was forced off with an ankle problem.
But once they all return, the need for Belotti will be limited.
Dembele’s move from Lyon isn’t set in stone, though, with Atletico still to trigger the permanent transfer clause within the current loan deal, so Belotti could be viewed as a superior alternative.