Everton Rebuffed In Attempts To Sign Italian International: Do The Toffees Really Need Him? | OneFootball

According to Tuttosport, Everton have identified Andrea Belotti as the ideal man to resolve their attacking problems. However, Torino have appeared unwilling to part ways with the striker just yet, notably rejecting proposals from Fiorentina and Everton, who were willing to pay €45 million. The report states that Belotti’s price-tag could go up, with Carlo Ancelotti very keen on securing his services.

One of the top strikers in Serie A

Since his move to Torino in the summer of 2015, Andrea Belotti has established himself as a top-class centre forward. He has notched up 179 competitive appearances for his club, scoring a whopping 85 goals. Much like Dries Mertens of Napoli, the Italian international has consistently managed to find the back of the net, which is an essential quality to have for any striker.

This season, for example, Belotti has netted nine goals in 23 matches. While his scoring prowess makes him one of the best strikers in Serie A, he can also offer the physical presence in the final third.

Standing at 181cm, Belotti has a bulky figure that helps him keep hold of the ball. He is known for his tenacity as well, notably attempting 1.5 tackles per game. His tally of 3.3 aerial duels per game is also indicative of his aerial prowess, which is rather impressive given the fact that he is not exactly one of the tallest forwards.

Belotti’s remarkable scoring record stems from his willingness to test the goalkeeper. He has averaged 2.7 shots on goal, with a majority of them coming from inside the box. That means he is a clever operator, who can quickly make up space to shoot, much like Bayern Munich sensation Robert Lewandowski.

Why Belotti could be an ideal signing for Everton

Belotti is, no doubt, a complete striker. He can provide pace, physicality and productivity in the final third, which is everything Everton lack from their offensive department at the moment.

The likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have both shown what they are capable of. But, they lack that individual essence that prevents Ancelotti from utilising them as fully-fledged forwards. And that’s where someone like Belotti could really come in handy.

The Italian international can add more bite to the Everton attack. His ability to convert chances, coupled with his work-rate, should combine well with Richarlison, who is an equally hard-working individual. Ultimately, the infusion of these two individuals can add a new dimension to the offensive unit – making them much more productive going forward.

Stat courtesy: Whoscored