Manchester United linked with Torino striker Andrea Belotti – how likely is a move?

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Manchester United can now focus on their transfer plans for the summer after winning the Europa League. Their triumph over Ajax means that they will be playing Champions League football next season and that will make them a more attractive destination for the players that are targeting. There have been a number of news outlets, including the Independent, reporting that Andrea Belotti is one of Jose Mourinho’s priority targets for next season. It will be difficult to convince Torino to sell their top scorer and a deal may only be possible if United meet the striker’s buy-out clause of around £85 million.

What would he bring to Old Trafford?

The Italian international has been one of the breakout stars of the 2016-17 campaign and it isn’t a surprise that Manchester United are interested in bringing him to Old Trafford. During the Serie A season, he has scored 25 goals so far, in addition to contributing five assists. He is being billed as the next great Italian striker and it is difficult not to buy into the hype. The 23-year-old is not only a good finisher but a versatile one. He has scored goals with both feet and head, showing that he can score all types of goals. Belotti is an excellent header of the ball and his physicality would be well suited to the Premier League.

He is adaptable and an intelligent decision maker in the final third, as he always finds a route to goal, averaging 3.71 shots per ninety minutes. Although it is his goals that have taken the headlines, he is a team player as shown by his average of 1.57 chances created per ninety minutes. Belotti is fearless when leading the line and not afraid to battle with opposition centre-halves. Moreover, he doesn’t shirk a challenge and puts his head where few other forwards would. He is a typical Jose Mourinho striker, as he works hard and does a lot of running off-the-ball for his team. The Italian realises the importance of tracking back and he would be a perfect fit to lead the line at Manchester United.

There are no noticeable weaknesses in his game, but his aggression can sometimes lead to rash tackles. This wouldn’t worry Jose Mourinho, as he loves a striker that is willing to work hard and contribute defensively. A bigger worry would that he has only been a first-team regular in Serie A for two seasons and he has yet to test himself at the highest level. This will create doubts about meeting his release clause, but on the evidence of his performances, Belotti has the makings of a Champions League calibre striker.