Pio Esposito’s agent sends clear transfer message to Arsenal

Pio Esposito’s agent has poured cold water on rumours linking the striker with Arsenal, insisting his client is ‘happy’ and wishes to remain at Inter Milan ‘for the next ten years’.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed an eye-catching breakthrough season with Inter having returned to his boyhood team from a two-year loan spell with Spezia in Serie B.

Spezia came close to sealing promotion back to Serie A thanks largely to Esposito’s goalscoring exploits – and the youngster has picked up where he left off in the Italian top flight this term.

With star man Lautaro Martinez out injured for the last month, Esposito has stepped up admirably as the focal point of Inter’s attack, taking his tally to eight goals and six assists in all competitions for the Nerazzurri.

But it is more the character and passion showcased by one of their own which have most endeared Esposito to the San Siro faithful across the campaign.

There has, though, been some speculation linking Esposito with a big-money move away from Milan, with Premier League leaders Arsenal said to be among his ever-growing list of admirers.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Esposito both ‘frightened’ and ‘fascinated’ Mikel Arteta during Arsenal’s league phase tie with Inter Milan and the centre-forward has ‘remained in the eyes and thoughts’ of the Gunners ever since.

The report claimed Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta had made contact with Inter immediately after Esposito’s outstanding cameo display to learn more information about a possible deal for the Italy international.

But when quizzed on these rumours on Radio CRC this week, Esposito’s representative, Mario Giuffredi, was quick to dismiss any talk of a proposed switch to north London.

‘Despite Arsenal’s interest, our plans are clear,’ Giuffredi explained.

‘He’s happy at Inter and will be the future of the Nerazzurri for the next ten years. The boy is in love with Inter.’

Though still in the infancy of his club and international career, Esposito has been likened by some to one of the greatest Italian strikers of modern times in Christian Vieri.

‘I don’t like comparisons, especially when the players are young,’ Giuffredi said in response to these claims.

‘Pio Esposito needs to be himself and develop his own personal style of play.

‘When comparisons are made, it creates expectations that are not helpful.’ 

Earlier this month, Inter president Beppe Marotta issued a similar message regarding Esposito’s future, ruling out a summer sale for the burly 6 ft 3 in forward.

‘Inter do not want to sell him and we are not a club that makes player trading its main business,’ Marotta told the Italian media.

‘He’s a product that grew up in the youth academy, and we’re guarding him like a treasure.’

Marotta appeared to shut the door on Esposito leaving Inter to join Arsenal this summer – but left the possibility open ‘in the very distant future’ for potential suitors.

‘We’ll talk about his transfer again in the future, but it’ll be a very distant future,’ he added.

Inter secured Esposito on a modest salary of around €1million-a-season (£800,000-a-season) until 2030 prior to last year’s Club World Cup.

While Esposito’s commitment to Inter appears unwavering, his contract may need to be negotiated should the likes of Arsenal continue to sniff around the youngster.

‘It’s the merit of a boy who wants to prove himself,’ Inter Milan head coach Chivu said of Esposito’s meteoric rise last month.

‘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.’

As the former manager of the Inter Milan Primavera academy side, Chivu remarked that he had ‘practically grown up’ alongside Pio Esposito.

‘He was a small kid, tall. He barely reached my chest. We’ve practically grown up together,’ he explained.

‘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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