Torino are determined to tie Andrea Belotti down to a new contract amid reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur, president Urbano Cairo has told Corriere della Sera.
Is Carlos Vinicius a short-term fix at Spurs? Or something a little more substantial?
The Benfica-owned frontman has endured a mixed start to life in north London since arriving from Lisbon and, in truth, will probably need more than the odd Europa League strike if he wants to turn his loan deal into a permanent transfer.
Especially with The Times suggesting that, in £40 million Italy international Belotti, Spurs already have a new striker lined up for when Vinicius’s temporary deal comes to an end in summer 2021.
Belotti’s contract at Torino is running down fast and, as it stands, the Serie A strugglers may have little choice but to sell their influential captain sooner rather than later unless they can tie him down to a new, long-term deal.
“He is the symbol of the Bull (Torino’s nickname). There is esteem and trust in our captain, we want to keep him,” Cairo explains amid suggestions talks over a new contract have stalled.
“We will shortly discuss the extension of the contract. (Sporting director Davide) Vagnati is already working on it.”
A real penalty pox predator who earned comparisons with Italy legend Christian Vieri, Belotti started 2020/21 with seven goals in eight Serie A matches – the first Torino player to achieve the feat in almost 50 years.
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