Chelsea See £51m + Add Ons Offer Rejected For 24-Goal Arsenal Target

Managers are now making plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea make their move for Andrea Belotti…

Chelsea have see their £51m plus £34m in add ons offer for Andrea Belotti rejected by Torino as the Italian club want the full £85m paid up front, according to a report in the Express.

Belotti has emerged as one of the hottest strikers in European football after scoring 24 goals in his 28 Serie A appearances so far this season despite Torino languishing in mid-table.

The 23-year-old’s impressive form has attracted interest from the Premier League with the Daily Star reporting in late February that Arsenal and Chelsea had stepped-up their interest ahead of potential summer moves.

Torino’s sporting director Gianluca Petrachi was also quoted by Sky Sports News as saying in January that they had rejected a €65m (£56m) offer from the Gunners – something Arsenal quickly denied.

However, it looks like Chelsea have now made their move for the striker as the Express are citing reports coming from Tuttosport that claim the Blues have tabled a formal offer for Belotti’s services.

The Italian newspaper says Chelsea’s bid consisted of £51m up front with a further £34m coming in performance-based add ons, however, Torino have already knocked back the offer by insisting the strikers £85m release fee be paid in full.

Earlier this month, Torino president Urbano Cairo reiterated that the club won’t sell unless Belotti’s release clause is met. Cairo is quoted as saying by the Express:

“Everything depends on Belotti, he could say no to a farewell and our relationship with him is wonderful,”

“But then if they offer €100m (£85m) from abroad he could leave. I think we can continue a bit longer together.”

Belotti signed his new deal back in December and Torino included an £85m release clause thinking it would put the striker out of reach but his superb form has meant some clubs are giving serious consideration to matching that figure.

We’ll have to wait and see whether Chelsea will be prepared to increase their opening offer but Antonio Conte is expected to bring in a new front-man this summer with Diego Costa’s future in doubt and Belotti would be an excellent addition.

However, we shouldn’t discount Arsenal from the running just yet as the north Londoners are gearing up for a busy summer and a new striker is on the agenda with the future’s of Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Lucas Perez in doubt.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

Recent reports have suggested Arsene Wenger will have a huge transfer budget at his disposal if he stays as manager so the Frenchman should be able to compete with the likes of Chelsea for Belotti’s signature.