Mikel Arteta is pushing Arsenal to signal extremely rated Italian worldwide centre-forward Pio Esposito from Inter Milan, in accordance with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
After becoming a member of the academy in 2014, Esposito had lengthy been seen as a future star for the Nerazzurri, and a mortgage spell with Spezia Calcio in Serie B proved pivotal in his growth.
His return of 17 league objectives virtually propelled Spezia again to the highest flight final season, simply two years after their relegation from Serie A.
That kind earned him a spot again in Inter’s senior squad over the summer season, and the 6ft 3in centre-forward has continued his upward trajectory, registering seven objectives and 6 assists for his boyhood membership throughout a formidable marketing campaign.
On the worldwide stage, his performances earned him a primary call-up to Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy squad final September, and he has since netted three objectives in his 5 appearances for the Gli Azzurri.
In line with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was ‘fascinated’ by Esposito’s shows in his facet’s conflict towards Inter in January, the place he triggered issues, prompting the supervisor to sub on Gabriel Magalhaes to neutralise his menace.
Within the aftermath of the match, the report provides that Arteta reached out to the membership’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, to debate the five-time Italian worldwide centre-forward.
Arteta ‘fascinated’ by Esposito
Following discussions with the Gunners’ supervisor, Berta contacted Inter’s sporting director, Piero Ausilio, to grasp the associated fee and potential availability of the prolific ahead in the summertime, in accordance with the report.
Nonetheless, Arsenal’s enquiry was instantly rebuffed by the Serie A desk toppers, in accordance with the Italian outlet, and it stays to be seen if the North Londoners will revive their curiosity in signing him when the summer season switch window opens.
Regardless of having three centre-forward choices, Mikel Arteta seems eager so as to add extra innovative within the closing third. Kai Havertz has struggled with recurring health issues over the previous 18 months, whereas Gabriel Jesus faces an unsure long-term future on the Emirates, with Esposito now eyed as a potential alternative.
Inter’s boss Cristian Chivu has described the 20-year-old as a centre-forward who ‘can do a little bit of all the things’, and it’s no shock Arteta mentioned him, as his qualities align together with his system.
With a contract at San Siro operating till 2030, Arsenal might want to submit a convincing provide nicely above his £30m Transfermarkt valuation to check Inter’s resolve.
