Cristiano Giuntoli has moved to rule Napoli out of the market for Andrea Belotti’s transfer from Torino, but left the door open for Arsenal target Victor Osimhen leaving this summer.
Belotti is set to be one of the most high-profile options available for a Bosman this year, as his Toro contract ends in June. The Italian has been on the books at the Turin natives since 2015, and grew to captain the Serie A side. He also has five goals in 17 games this season.
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Injuries have heavily impacted his availability for manager Ivan Juric so far this term. It has been his worst season for fitness since leaving Palermo, having played at least 32 games in each prior campaign. He had also scored double figures in every prior term at the Granata.
But Napoli sporting director Giuntoli feels boss Luciano Spalletti is well-stocked upfront in Osimhen, Dries Mertens and Andrea Petagna. So, the Azzurri are unlikely to explore a deal for Belotti, at least currently as Giuntoli adds he cannot completely rule out some changes.
“We have Osimhen, Petagna and Mertens, we are not thinking about doing other things in attack,” he said, via TuttoMercatoWEB. “Then in two months many things can change.
“It will be an opportunity for everyone because Belotti is a great player but at the moment, that is not what we are thinking.”
Napoli director admits ‘many things can change’ as Arsenal eye Osimhen transfer
Giuntoli leaving the door open for Osimhen’s transfer will thrill Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta’s side keen on the Napoli striker. TuttoMercatoWEB noted recently the Gunners have made an approach for the Nigerian, along with their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Any deal will set the Premier League sides back club-record fees, with Corriere dello Sport also reporting a €120m (£99m) valuation. Napoli have increased their asking price after a €100m (£82.5m) offer from Newcastle this January for the dynamic and physical striker.
Osimhen has also taken his account to 12 goals and four assists in 21 Serie A games since the market closed. The 23-year-old also hit four and created one in five Europa League ties before the Azzurri lost 5-3 on aggregate to Barcelona during the knockout round play-offs.
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