Arsenal target Pio Esposito’s agent shuts down summer exit rumours | OneFootball

Arsenal have been dealt a massive blow in their bid to sign Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito.

The Gunners had earmarked the 20-year-old prodigy as a key target ahead of the summer transfer window, but the player’s agent has shut down talks of a potential move.

Despite splashing the cash to bring in Viktor Gyokeres last summer, Arsenal are still in the market for a new striker, and Esposito was a key target.

The Swedish striker had a slow start to life at Arsenal but has begun to adapt to English football, bagging 18 goals in 47 games across all competitions.

Gyokeres has scored 12 times for Arsenal in the Premier League despite starting 24 of his 31 appearances and is showing signs of the deadly marksman he was at Sporting CP.

Despite his upturn in performances, Arsenal still want to bolster their attack with more firepower, and Esposito was supposed to provide that additional spark.

However, the player’s agent has effectively ruled out a summer move for Esposito, claiming he wants to remain at Inter for the next decade.

“Pio is happy at Inter,” agent Mario Giuffredi said (via Calciomercato). “I think what both the player and the club want is to stay together for the next 10 years.

“Thinking about the transfer market for Pio Esposito, unless it is the club that wants it, is not something that the player or I are planning to do.

“For us, Pio’s transfer market has not started and never will start, because there will be no transfer market for him. He is happy to remain with the Nerazzurri.”

Esposito has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, bagging nine goals and six assists in 43 games across all competitions.

Having come through Inter’s academy, the club considers him to be a key part of their long-term plans.

Newcastle United are also interested in the young striker, but both Premier League clubs will have to look elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.

The Magpies have already reignited their interest in Chelsea striker Liam Delap after missing out on him last summer.