One of the hottest prospects of this summer transfer window is definitely the Serie A forward Andrea Belotti. Every top club in Europe has been linked with the Italian international in the past one month and the latest club to reportedly join the chase is La Liga giants Barcelona.
The Catalans might have the best attacking trio in the world at the moment but there is hardly a backup on the bench who could be half as potent as the first-choice forwards at the moment. And the Spanish giants, who are expecting some major additions to their side this transfer window, seems to have identified the 23-year-old as the perfect candidate to enhance their threat up front.
According to reports, Barcelona have leapfrogged numerous top clubs in an attempt to sign Belotti from Italian side Torino. It claims that Barcelona are now favourites to get his signature, ahead of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United after having ‘secret talks’ with the player.
Belotti has been breath-taking this season in the Italian league so far, scoring a whopping 22 goals in just 24 games, making himself one of the most desired strikers across Europe. Barcelona’s arch rival Real Madrid are also heavily interested in the player and would look to make heavy arrangements this summer given that their transfer ban is lifted now.
Torino is well aware of the developments concerning him and the club has decided to make it extremely difficult for any club to get their hands on him. As per his contract, a minimum fee of £86million has been set in his release clause and Barcelona have reportedly agreed to meet the astronomical fee to land him at Nou Camp.
Belotti is understood to have rejected offers from England after perceiving interests from Barcelona, where he always wanted to play. Belotti’s main strength has been his persistence on and off the ball. His constant chasing forces defenders to throw away possession and his work rate seems to make all the difference for him.
In a way, he resembles Alexis Sanchez a lot and his finishing is the icing on the cake. His attacking attribute makes him a real poacher up front and the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta playing behind to provide him with the ball could make him all the more lethal. With age, Messi has evolved to take the central role for his side of late and Belotti could be a brilliant wide forward taking his place on the right flank.
