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International star responds to reports of £56m Arsenal bid

By on January 10, 2017

Andrea Belotti has spoken out for the first time following Torino’s claims that they’ve rejected a £56m bid from Arsenal for his services.

Belotti has been the talk of north London in recent days after Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachli sensationally claimed over the weekend that they had knocked back a whopping £56m bid from Arsenal.

The Torino supremo suggested that they had rejected what would have been a club-record deal as they believe £56m doesn’t reflect the strikers value and he insisted they wouldn’t sell for anything less than the 23-year-old’s buyout clause – which is believed to be set at £87m.

Petrachli was quoted by Sky Sports News as saying on Sunday:

“We received and refused a €65m (£56m) offer from Arsenal for Andrea Belotti, but it does not reflect the value of the player.

“Anyway, he is going nowhere for now. We want to enjoy him, then we’ll see what happens.

“We intend to keep Belotti and president Urbano Cairo signed this important buy-out clause. I think he’s worth more than they have offered.”

Belotti has now spoken out for the first time amid the rumours and says he can’t let Arsenal’s reported interest go to his head and he’ll continue to work hard to achieve his dreams.

The Express quote the striker as saying:

“I have to continue like this, I cannot let it go to my head.

“I always have to work, I hope to play a good 2017 to conquer my dreams.”

He seems like a level headed lad but he shouldn’t be getting carried away by Arsenal’s supposed interest as the club have already dismissed Torino’s claims and insist no such offer has been put on the table.

You’d expect Arsenal to respond in this way whether we had made a bid or not as they’d want negotiations kept quiet but Torino on the other hand will want the talks made public as it will only increase Belotti’s reputation and value.

I personally think the Serie A club are using Arsenal’s name and interest to heighten Belotti’s appeal with the hope of generating an bidding war situation either this month or next summer.

The Italian international has certainly caught the eye having scored 14 goals in 19 appearances this season but that doesn’t mean he’s worth anywhere near £56m, never-mind his £87m buyout clause.