Inter make Esposito stance clear after Arsenal contact with Ausilio | OneFootball

Inter have no interest in letting go of centre-forward Pio Esposito according to Tuesday’s reports, despite contact between Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and his Nerazzurro counterpart Piero Ausilio.

Where Inter and Arsenal stand with Italy talent Esposito

Esposito is enjoying an impressive break-out campaign with the table-topping Inter in 2025-26, and has already established himself as an option in attack for Gennaro Gattuso and the Italy national team at just 20 years of age.

The Nerazzurro academy graduate has been given an increasingly involved role at club level as well, despite the presence of Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram and summer signing Ange-Yoan Bonny in Cristian Chivu’s squad.

Esposito’s performances this season have attracted the attention of a number of top clubs across Europe, among whom are Arsenal.

LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Francesco Pio Esposito of Inter during the Serie A match between US Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

The 20-year-old left a strong impression on the Gunners supporters following their trip to San Siro in the Champions League earlier this season: “How much do Inter want for Esposito?,” some fans pondered on social media after his impressive showing off the bench that night.

It is not just the Arsenal supporters who were impressed by Esposito that night. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mikel Arteta is also a fan and has reportedly discussed the Nerazzurro youngster with Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who is also from Italy.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Berta has also been in contact with Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio to inquire after Esposito’s availability and to ask how much it would cost to lure him away from San Siro.

VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Piero Ausilio of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Verona and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 23, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

According to Tuesday’s report, Inter remain firm in their stance that Esposito is a key player in the club’s long-term project, that he is still under contract until 2030, and that ultimately, he is not up for sale to any club.

Esposito has been handed an even bigger role within the Inter squad over the last few weeks following an injury to captain Martinez and the drop-off in Thuram’s form.

Bonny has also picked up a minor muscular injury, which means that the attacking reins will be handed over to Esposito when the Nerazzurri take on Como in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday night.