CONFIRMED: Arsenal make mega £56m Belotti bid – but Torino say no
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Arsenal have made a massive £56m bid for Torino’s Andrea Belotti, but it has been turned down, according to the Italian outfit.
The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Gunners in recent weeks, but this is the first confirmation from either side that a bid has been made.
Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi has revealed: “Yes, we received the offer, but it does not reflect the value of the player.”
The move would smash Arsenal’s record transfer fee, currently standing at £42m for Mesut Ozil.
Arsene Wenger has seen his title hopes hit in recent weeks, and the pressure is on once again to secure a top-four spot.
Belotti has been in fine form for the Turin outfit, bagging 13 goals from just 17 games in Serie A this term.
Throw in four assists, and the Italian international is directly contributing to a goal a game.
Torino have been wise to the speculation surrounding their prize asset, and agreed a contract extension with the forward just last month.
The new deal now runs until 2021 and is believed to include an £85m release fee.
Arsenal have yet to tie star men Alexis Sanchez and Ozil down to new contracts, and reports continue to link the duo with summer moves away from the club.
But a major move for Belotti may persuade the pair to stay, particularly Sanchez who has appeared increasingly frustrated in recent weeks.
The Gunners have been rebuffed when it comes to big-money strikers in the past, with bids for both Luis Suarez and Jamie Vardy failing in recent weeks.
So it remains to be seen if Arsenal return to Turin with an enhanced offer.
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