Italy striker, Andrea Belotti could be set for a summer switch to Atletico Madrid. The 23-year-old striker has caught the eye of a number of big clubs around Europe, and could call the Wanda Mertropolitano stadium home next seasosn. Respected football journalist, Kaveh Solhekol, who works for Sky Sports has claimed that the striker is being monitored by Atletico Madrid as a potential replacement for Antoine Griezmann, who has reportedly set his sights on a move to Manchester United.
The journalist made this admission on his personal Twitter handle, in which he claimed that although the club are interested in Belotti, they are unwilling to pay up to £85m for his signature.
Sky in Italy: Atlético Madrid contact Torino about striker Andrea Belotti. Won’t pay £86m release clause. Another sign Griezmann leaving?
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) May 31, 201
The club are resigned to losing Griezmann, as he has been frustrated with life at Atletico, given the club’s inability to win the major titles since his move from Real Sociedad in 2014. Belotti, on the other hand will jump at the chance to sign for a big European club as the “Rooster man” is known to have huge ambition.
Belotti has been fantastic for Sinisa Mijhalovic’s men all season, as they threatened for a European place early on in the campaign but tailed off towards the end of the season.
He scored 24 times in Serie A, alerting clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus and AC Milan about his ability, and Atleti have now joined the queue for his signature. His release clause for foreign clubs is set at £85m, which could prove to a major stumbling block to any potential deal.
This contact made by Atletico has been seen as yet another proof that Griezmann is leaving the club, after what has been a hugely successful individual three years in downtown Madrid.