Torino have told Everton to look elsewhere in the Toffees’ search for a new striker as captain Andre Belotti will not be sold this summer, according to Tuttosport via Sport Witness.
Everton are understood to have contacted Torino recently to discuss a potential summer transfer for Belotti, who enjoyed a strong 2019/20 campaign with 22 goals and four assists across all competitions.
His haul of 16 league goals was the eighth-best in the Serie A last term and the 27-cap Italy international’s personal best record since lashing home 26 times in 2016/17, and led to approaches from Manchester United and Fiorentina.
The Old Trafford and Artemio Franchi Stadium natives were both keen on signing Belotti only for their interest to cool, before Torino received more-recent approaches from Everton and Newcastle United.
But Torino President Urbano Cairohas offered a firm rebuttal to the latest interest in Belotti, as he aims to continue building his side around the 26-year-old and will not even listen to any offers for his star striker who boasts 92 career goals for the club.
Would Belotti have taken Everton's attack to the next level?
Yes
No
It had previously been suggested that Torino were holding out for a whopping €50million (£44.5m) to part with Belotti this summer, but their position seems to have only strengthened over the following months to leave our interest dead in the water.
Should Torino’s current alleged position be their final stance, it would be a frustrating blow to the Everton hierarchy who were willing to bid big in April with an offer of €60m (£52.6m) touted, only for the Coronavirus pandemic to alter the club’s financial outlook and plans for the summer window.
If we are scouring the market for a new striker this summer, attentions will almost certainly now be away from Torino as Cairohas’ demands will be too extravagant for our post-pandemic budget.