After a long transfer ban, Real Madrid are hungry for reinforcements and numerous names are being linked with a move to Santiago Bernabeu next summer. Although Zidane has done a brilliant job with the existing squad, most of the players are past their prime and need disposing of. And Real are planning to bring in some big names to fill the gaps.
According to latest reports, the Whites are set for talks with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Andrea Belotti, who is currently playing for Serie A side Torino.
As per Gazzetta dello Sport, the 23-year-old is ready to discuss a possible move to the Bernabeu as Real are eyeing him as a replacement for their current first-choice forward Karim Benzema, who is set to leave in the summer. There is some pressure on Zidane as lack of first team action has also frustrated second-choice striker Alvaro Morata to find another destination.
Belotti has enhanced his growing reputation this season with a string of fine displays and has netted 20 goals in 26 appearances for club and country so far. Belotti’s USP is his tenacity on and off the ball. He forces defenders to make mistakes with his tireless pursuit and does not hesitate to go into tackles. A strong finishing sense in front of goal adds to his attributes and makes him a real poacher in front of the goal. His clinical finishing has earned him numerous suitors across Europe and Real will face stiff competition in landing him.
However, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos behind him, he is bound to flourish in Spain. Belotti could be compared more to Antoine Griezmann in his playing style, depending more on off the ball movements and work rate.
Belotti has a contract with Torino till 2021 and the Italian club are not willing to part ways with their star player for unless they get a hefty payment. Reportedly, Torino president Urbano Cairo will travel to Madrid next week to discuss the possibility of his star player moving to La Liga for the £85m buy-out clause set by the Italian club.
A youth product of AlbinoLeffe Berretti, Belotti has come up the ranks of Palermo before joining Torino in 2015. In his 93 appearances in Serie A so far, he has scored 33 goals. Since making his debut in 2016, Belotti has scored thrice in five appearances for Italy. At 181cm, the Italian forward is pretty domineering in aerial duels and could come in handy from set-pieces as well.
