Andrea Berta made an enquiry about Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito at Mikel Arteta’s request, but Inter made it very clear that the 20-year-old is not for sale.
Berta wants to bolster Arsenal’s attack even further in the summer transfer window after welcoming three new forwards to the Emirates in 2025.
Julian Alvarez is one striker Berta wants, and another is Pio Esposito, whom Arsenal have shown interest in amid his impressive form for Inter.
Esposito has scored seven goals for Inter so far this season and is showing huge promise at the age of just 20, which is why the Italian giants have him firmly in their grasp.
Imagine you are Andrea Berta. Who is your top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window?
Inter Milan respond to Andrea Berta’s transfer enquiry about Pio Esposito
Inter have already put a plan in place to limit interest in Esposito by offering the youngster a new contract.
On top of that, they’ve directly informed Berta that any hope of Arsenal signing the striker needs to end.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Berta made contact with Inter at Arteta’s request and asked the Italian giants two questions: Firstly, how much it would cost to sign Esposito, and secondly, if he’s even available.
It’s understood that Inter ‘responded without even thinking’, noting that Esposito is the club’s future and is not going to be available in the transfer market for ‘any sum’.
La Gazetta dello Sport’s update concluded by saying, ‘End of story. No chance of a deal.’
Mikel Arteta became infatuated with Pio Esposito after Arsenal faced Inter Milan in the Champions League
Inter couldn’t make it any clearer that Esposito is not for sale, but at Arsenal, it seems Arteta couldn’t make it any clearer that he wants to sign the 20-year-old.
On Marco Barzaghi’s YouTube channel, the journalist shared his understanding of Arsenal’s interest, revealing that Arteta’s infatuation started when Arsenal won at San Siro in January.
This was Pio Esposito’s first goal for Inter Milan, who does he remind you of?
“Some intuitions are like flashes of lightning – better yet, like love at first sight. This infatuation began on January 20,” Barzaghi began.
“Esposito carried out the task with his usual energy: he filled the penalty area, challenged opposing defenders to duels, turned balls towards goal, and in doing so both fascinated and frightened Arteta, a coach highly sensitive to young talent, who immediately asked Gabriel to step in and deal with the newcomer.”
Barzaghi concluded that, aside from Arsenal’s statement 3-1 win, what really ‘lingered’ for the Gunners was the impact Esposito left on Arteta.
“What lingered most in the eyes and minds of the winners was Esposito’s impact, first inspiring temptation and then an attempt: why not bring him to England?”
Arteta has made his thoughts clear, and so have Inter, but based on the information coming out of Italy, Arteta might have to find peace in the fact that he probably won’t get his target.
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