AC Milan to rival Manchester United in pursuit of Andrea Belotti with opening bid of cash plus Cristian Zapata rejected
Torino adamant they won't consider selling Serie A hotshot for anything less than £80million release clause this summer
AC MILAN have had an opening bid rejected for in-demand Torino hotshot, Andrea Belotti, according to reports in Italy.
The Italian striker netted 26 times in his breakthrough season in Serie A — and recently signed a new contract with a release clause worth £80million.
His form has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City.
However, reveal it’s the ambitious Rossoneri who have made the first move with a cash plus Colombian defender Cristian Zapata offer which was knocked back as Torino demand the release clause be met.
Milan were sold to Chinese investors for £628million in April and they have plans to restore the club to its former glory.
Ten years ago the club won the Champions League, but they have not played European football since 2014.
However, there was an upturn in form this season and they will be playing Europa League football next season as sixth-place finish meant qualification for the Europa League.
Initially, Milan had appeared set to sign Alvaro Morata — but the Real Madrid striker is nearing a move to United.
So Vincenzo Montella has turned his attentions to Belotti, as the Rossoneri look to cure their striker blues.
They have not had a prolific No.9 since Filippo Inzaghi left the club, or a 20-goal striker since Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Belotti, 23, is proven in one of the top leagues in Europe and Milan’s reaction to seeing their first offer knocked back will be telling.
An £80m offer would put any deal out of Torino’s hands.
But there have been reports Milan’s new owners don’t have much money to spend as initially thought.