Andrea Belotti has turned down the chance to sign a new contact at Torino after being linked with Tottenham and Arsenal, the club’s president told Football Italia.
The 27-year-old is currently approaching the conclusion of his contract with the Serie A side, but negotiations over a new deal seem to have come to a halt.
Belotti, who is currently in his seventh year with Torino, has established himself as one of the best centre forwards in Europe with his impressive scoring record, 106 goals in 231 appearances for the club.
Spurs were reportedly offered the chance to sign the towering centre forward earlier in the year amidst the uncertainties surrounding the future of star man Harry Kane.
Reports also claimed that Arsenal saw Belotti as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette, as they were looking to cash in on the 30-year-old Frenchman.
However, none of these moves materialised, which has now left Torino in a tough spot to try and tie Belotti down to a new deal or face losing him for free next summer.
The club’s president Urbano Cairo feels time is quickly running out and revealed that he cannot force his prized asset to stay in Italy.
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He said: “He hasn’t signed (a new contract) and he probably doesn’t want to sign. I made an offer that went beyond my capabilities, but I can’t force him to do anything. I don’t think he wants to sign.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Spurs are still not out of the woods yet regarding Kane, and are likely to expect interest in him again in January, but most likely in the summer.
If Spurs were to cash in, then Belotti could become a cut-price option, and the club may choose to negotiate a pre-contract as early as January.
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