Arsenal have been linked with a move for Inter Milan’s Pio Esposito, with the 20-year-old already a regular for the Serie A giants after coming through their academy
Pio Esposito is a target for Arsenal(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Pio Esposito’s agent has confirmed that Arsenal are interested in signing him – but the Inter Milan starlet has no desire to leave San Siro. Esposito, 20 is enjoying a breakout season with Inter, having been at the club since the age of nine.
The Italy international to Milan last summer after two years on loan at Spezia. Esposito has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 39 appearances this season, and he’s become a regular starter in the absence of injured captain Lautaro Martinez.
His emergence has seen him linked with Arsenal, who are considering refreshing their forward line in the summer transfer window. Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all face uncertain futures, as Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta looks to bring in funds for new signings.
But Esposito’s agent, Mario Giuffredi, has made it clear that the striker only has eyes for Inter. “Despite Arsenal’s interest, our plans are clear,” Giuffredi told Radio CRC.
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“He’s happy at Inter and will be the future of the Nerazzurri for the next 10 years. The boy is in love with Inter.”
Earlier this month, Inter president Beppe Marotta also ruled out cashing in on the 20-year-old, saying: “Inter do not want to sell him and we are not a club that makes player trading its main business.
“He’s a product that grew up in the youth academy, and we’re guarding him like a treasure. We’ll talk about his transfer again in the future, but it’ll be a very distant future.”
Following his return from Spezia ahead of the Club World Cup, Esposito signed a new contract which keeps him at Inter until 2030. “It’s the merit of a boy who wants to prove himself,” manager Cristian Chivu commented.
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“He wants to put himself on the line and take responsibility like everyone else: if things don’t go well, it’s my fault. But I like that they follow me and want to make this season what we all hope it can be.”
Chivu previously worked in Inter’s academy and made Esposito captain of his youth team. “He was a small kid, tall. He barely reached my chest,” the Nerazzurri boss added.
“We’ve practically grown up together. I know his family, I know his background, his journey through the youth system. He was an underage captain in my Inter Primavera team. I’m happy for him, just as I am for the rest of the team.”
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