Manchester City transfer news: Torino striker Andrea Belotti wanted by Arsenal and City but his £86m buyout could pose problem
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is tracking Italian hot shot Andrea Belotti as possible replacement for Sergio Aguero who faces uncertain future at the Etihad
MANCHESTER CITY have joined Arsenal and Chelsea in the hunt for Torino striker Andrea Belotti.
Spanish giants Real Madrid are also keen - But Torino insist the young striker's £86million buy-out clause is too cheap.
Belotti has been brilliant in Serie A and despite the Turin side only ninth in the league, the 23-year-old has bagged 22 goals in 24 games, after his eight-minute hat-trick at home to Palermo last Sunday.
The Italian international is playing alongside on-loan keeper Joe Hart who is full of praise for the striker. Hart declared: "He is a special player."
City boss Pep Guardiola is looking to reshape his forward line next season - and with the future of top scorer Sergio Aguero uncertain, Belotti is now on the City's radar.
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The Etihad hierarchy would have no issue shelling out the whopping buy-out clause inserted by Torino for non-Italian clubs.
The clause was agreed when he signed a new deal in January, feel the Serie A top scorer is worth more.
“I don’t think we can raise the clause now, as we only just signed the contract and we have to respect it." said Torini president Urbano Cairo.
"Anyway, a foreign club has to come in and put €100m on the table and Belotti has to agree before any sale, I hope no-one comes in with an offer - but of course, if I was negotiating it today, it should be €150m.”
Arsenal and Chelsea have been monitoring Belotti who made his international debut against France last September, as both sides keen to bolster their striking options next season.
His coach Sinisa Mihajlovic added: “The Rooster is worth more than €100m. Belotti has all the attributes to become the best striker in the championship and Europe. If he continues like this, €100m is not much.”