Torino are aware that any deal for Manchester United and Chelsea target Andrea Belotti would bring “a flood of money” into the club.
The Serie A outfit are, however, still hoping that they can negotiate the summer transfer window without parting with their star striker.
Interest in the 23-year-old has been building on the back of his 28-goal haul in 2016-17, with Premier League heavyweights reported to be leading the chase.
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Torino boss Sinisa Mihajlovic is aware of the interest and acknowledges that the presence of a €100 million release clause means that his side will be handsomely compensated if a deal is done – even if it will be difficult to find a suitable replacement.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Will he stay? I hope so and so does [President Urbano] Cairo who isn’t thinking of selling him.
“Then there’s the €100m release clause. If someone pays it then a flood of money will arrive, but then we’d have to change the way we play.
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“It’s not just about replacing Belotti, it’s worse than that. It’s hard to find someone else who pulls their teammates forward and scores 26 goals.
“What I always say to him – and what I told [Christian] Vieri – is don’t lose your head; sacrifice, keep improving, don’t lose than hunger that made you the player you’ve been recently.”
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Cairo has suggested in the past that even if a big-money offer were to be made this summer, then Belotti may opt to shun the interest and stay put.
He told Radio 24 in June: “He has a contract with Toro until 2021. I would only sell him for €100m, but even then he can refuse.
"The most important thing is what he wants, regardless of the release clause, and I believe he wants to stay.”
