West Ham United have been handed the ideal chance to land Italy international Andrea Belotti this summer…
What’s the word?
As per The Athletic – and other sources – the 28-year-old has officially departed Serie A club Torino following the expiry of his contract, having spent the past seven years in Turin after joining from Palermo in 2015.
The 44-cap brute has recently been linked with a move to the London Stadium as David Moyes’ search for a new centre-forward continues, albeit with club insider ExWHUemployee having also suggested that the Scot has snubbed the chance to land the striker in the past.
The hope will be that the former Manchester United manager changes his mind, albeit with fellow Premier League side Everton also said to be in the race for the player’s signature, as too are Italian champions AC Milan.
Too good to be true
The arrival of the “unbelievable” talent – as described by one source – would seemingly be “too good to be true” for West Ham supporters, with Belotti perhaps the ideal man to solve their centre-forward woes.
Not only available for nothing – ensuring a relatively risk-free deal – the £18m-rated marksman also offers an almost guaranteed supply of goals, having been in truly prolific form during his time in Serie A.
Should West Ham sign Belotti?
In 251 games in all competitions at Torino, the 5 foot 11 marksman recorded a staggering tally of 113 goals and 28 assists, netting exactly 100 league goals for the club in that time.
While the most recent campaign saw the striker score just eight league goals, that was the first time he had failed to reach double digits in the Italian top flight during his time with Torino, notably firing in 26 goals during a particularly prolific 2016/17 season.
Not just a threat in attack, the powerful forward is also a useful asset for his hold-up play and ability in the air, ranking in the top 14% among those in his position across Europe’s top five leagues for aerial duels won, with 4.27 per match.
Having that alternative option to current centre-forward Michail Antonio could well be vital for West Ham next season as they once again juggle their domestic and European duties, with the club needing someone else to shoulder the goalscoring burden up top alongside the Jamaica international.
Although Chelsea’s Armando Broja has been touted as one potential option, in Belotti the Hammers would have an almost guaranteed supply of goals, with the menacing striker set to prove an astute piece of business if the Irons can snap him up on a free transfer.
AND in other news, Moyes plotting move for “special” £45m “baller”, he’d be a “superstar” for West Ham
