Arsenal are among a number of clubs that are said to be considering a move for Torino striker Andrea Belotti this summer, and that is a move that Gunners fans should follow.
What he lacks in blowing pace is well compensated by his determination, strength, understanding of the game and clinical instincts in front of goal.
Belotti will not run in behind often or surpass midfielders regularly, but what he will do is fight, keep the ball up, bring others into the game and convert when the chance comes.
He may not be a start for Roberto Mancini’s Italy at Euro 2020, but he offers something different for one of his teammates. The former Palermo striker is a bit of a return to his style of play.
Belotti is not remarkably tall and it would be wrong to label him as a great frontman but he uses his body and physical strength incredibly well and after 90 minutes of defense against him, most midfielders will say they have been in a fight.
Since signing for Torino in 2015, his goal record speaks for itself. He’s played 105 times in 228 appearances – impressive, huh? He has long been linked with a move from Turin, but after Turin’s gloomy league campaign last time, he may well put his foot down and demand that he be allowed to leave to play at a higher level.
In many ways, he would be the perfect replacement for Alexandre Lacazette, whose contract at the Emirates Stadium has only one year left. It’s decision time for the Frenchman – Arsenal must either make money on him or offer him an extension, otherwise they risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Alexandre Lacazette has about a year left on his current Arsenal contract / Julian Finney / Getty Images
While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been Arsenal’s captain for a few seasons now, it was clear last season that the Gunners were at their best with Lacazette leading the attack. It’s not because the 30-year-old is a more potent goal scorer than Aubameyang – it’s because his all-round center-forward play did more for those who played in and around him, so that they too could thrive.
In Belotti you would get all the positive Lacazette gives to the table and more – specifically a bigger goal threat. Torino’s asking price will determine how far Arsenal take their reported interest in the future, but if a deal can be achieved from a financial point of view, from a football perspective, it would be perfect.
