Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid are reportedly in pursuit of Torino striker Andrea Belotti. The Serie A top scorer is also a target of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Belotti has been a standout performer for Torino this season, netting 24 goals across all competition. He added another feather to his blooming career by scoring the fastest hat-trick in Serie A since 30 January 2000 (seven minutes and 15 seconds) against Palermo on Sunday.
Andrea Belotti for Torino this season:
? Games: 24
⚽️ Goals: 22…today he scored an 8-minute hattrick ?? pic.twitter.com/6KURJ4ySae
— SPORF (@Sporf) March 5, 2017
The striker’s release clause is set at €100m, but the club’s authority asserts that the fee is a stipend compared to what the 23-year-old has to offer to the purchasing club.
Torino President told the Mirror: “I don’t think we can raise the clause now, as we only just signed the contract and we have to respect it.
“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. Of course, if I was negotiating it today, it should be €150m.”
Torino manager Sinisa Mihajlovic also said: “The Rooster [Belotti’s nickname] 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.”
Jose Mourinho is intent on signing another striker with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney approaching the end of their career, while Real Madrid could be inclined to purchase the Italian for the asking price.