Chelsea’s latest striker target, as per reports, is Serie A’s goal machine, Andrea Belotti. After digging through numerous options to add to their almost perfect squad next season, the Premier League leaders seem to have found the perfect fit in the Torino forward.
One of the hottest prospects this summer transfer window, Belotti has been hugely impressive in the Italian league this season. Scoring 22 goals this season so far, he holds the mantle of the Serie A top scorer at the moment ahead of AS Roma’s Edin Dzeko and Napoli’s Dries Mertens. If the London club wants to land him next summer, they have to fight the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and even Napoli.
Belotti is expected to trigger a huge bidding war among the European supergiants coming summer, with reports even emerging of Chelsea’s rival Arsenal, already placing a £43.5 million bid for the Italian striker to stay ahead in the race.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both sent their scouts to keep tabs on the player and they are regularly monitoring his action in the Serie A. They have been very impressed by what they have seen and a move is imminent.
Very much similar to Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, Belotti relies mainly on his work rate and determination to stay at the height of his game. With him behind the ball, there is never a lost cause and defenders tend to make mistakes with his high pressing.
An academy product of Italian side AlbinoLeffe Berretti, Belotti made his way up through the ranks of Palermo before Torino finally picked him up in 2015. In his 93 appearances in Serie A so far, he has scored 33 goals and this has been his breakthrough season.
And quite understandably, Torino are unwilling to let go of their best player and have placed a £85m release clause on him. The clubs chasing Belotti have the financial prowess to cough up the heavy money if needed and if that happens, Torino won’t be able to stop him. The club has been banking mainly on Belotti’s love for the club and the player, too, has expressed his desire to stay at the club despite numerous interests.
Belotti could be a very different option for Chelsea in their attack compared to what they have had in the last two, three seasons. Diego Costa, their current forward, is mainly a target man while Belotti is a poacher. He will definitely bring a different dimension to their attack.
