Belotti ‘gave up money’ to join Cagliari on deadline day | OneFootball

Andrea Belotti was so determined to join Cagliari on transfer deadline day that he ‘gave up money’ to make the move from Como, confident he has a lot more to give Serie A.

The centre-forward returned to Como after his loan experience in Portugal with Benfica, and had also been heavily linked with a drop down to Serie B with Sampdoria.

However, he joined the Sardinians on a permanent transfer with just minutes to spare ahead of the deadline.

Belotti eager for Cagliari opportunity

FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 14: Andrea Belotti of ACF Fiorentina gestures during the UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Maccabi Haifa at on March 14, 2024 in Florence, Italy.(Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“Belotti absolutely wanted to come to Cagliari,” assured director of sport Guido Angelozzi to the Corriere dello Sport.

“He even gave up money to make it happen, as he was so convinced this was his opportunity to prove himself. It was a stroke of luck for us, as we had been thinking of looking abroad to reinforce the attack, but we preferred someone who already knew Italian football well.

“There were four names we were looking at: Andrea Belotti, Patrick Cutrone, Walid Cheddira, and Dany Mota Carvalho.”

Belotti had the peak of his form at Torino, where he was famously given a contract with a release clause set at €100m, but has struggled for regular playing time in recent years at Roma, Fiorentina, Como and Benfica.

His 32nd birthday is in December, but Cagliari director Angelozzi is confident there is plenty more for Il Gallo to give.

“I don’t think 31 is very old for a striker, just look at Romelu Lukaku or Jamie Vardy. Roma and Fiorentina are not easy places to play, but the player’s history speaks for him.”

Another impressive signing for the Sardinians was Marco Palestra, the 20-year-old right-back who arrived on loan from Atalanta.

“The President didn’t want to hear of such a move at the start, because it didn’t fit with the strategic approach of the club, but then it’s so rare to find players who can work on the right or the left,” explained Angelozzi.

“He is one of the best full-backs not just in Italy, but also Europe. Atalanta turned down a €20m offer for him.”