{"id":2209,"date":"2026-03-03T11:31:58","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T11:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2209"},"modified":"2026-03-03T11:31:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T11:31:58","slug":"arsenal-open-transfer-talks-after-mikel-arteta-is-wowed-by-striker-in-champions-league-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2209","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal open transfer talks after Mikel Arteta is wowed by striker in Champions League | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was blown away by Pio Esposito\u2019s cameo performance (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mikel Arteta reportedly told Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta to gather information on Pio Esposito after the club\u2019s Champions League clash with Inter Milan in January.<\/p>\n

Arsenal bolstered their attack with the marquee \u00a364million signing of Viktor Gyokeres last summer and the striker has gone on to score 15 goals in his opening 37 appearances for the Gunners.<\/p>\n

However, it appears the Premier League leaders already have one eye on the next transfer window with a view to further strengthening their frontline. <\/p>\n

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pio Esposito both \u2018frightened and fascinated\u2019 Arteta during Arsenal\u2019s league phase tie with Inter Milan in January and the striker has \u2018remained in the eyes and thoughts\u2019 of Arsenal ever since.<\/p>\n

Pio Esposito started on the substitutes bench that night at the San Siro but came on in place of Lautaro Martinez in the 63rd minute and earned himself plenty of admirers with his cameo performance in a 3-1 defeat.<\/p>\n

Such was Pio Esposito\u2019s impact, Arteta felt compelled to send on Gabriel Magalhaes for Cristhian Mosquera, who had been struggled to contain the 20-year-old forward.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s claimed Arteta immediately spoke to Arsenal chief Berta after the game and the latter \u2018quickly contacted\u2019 Ausilio to learn whether Pio Esposito was for sale and how much a potential agreement might cost.<\/p>\n

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Metro<\/strong>‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n

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Esposito came on and gave Mosquera a torrid time at the San Siro (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Inter told Arsenal they had \u2018no chance\u2019 of sealing a deal for the young striker (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inter responded \u2018without even thinking\u2019, though, informing Berta that Pio Esposito was central cog in their plans for the future and was not on the market for any price.<\/p>\n

The report adds that Inter \u2018clearly refused\u2019 while \u2018putting up a front\u2019 and made it clear to Arsenal that there was \u2018no chance\u2019 of a closing a deal for the young Italy international.<\/p>\n

Pio Esposito himself is said to be \u2018aiming to earn a spot on the world stage with Inter\u2019 and is not even considering the prospect of leaving Inter, especially with star striker Martinez currently out injured.<\/p>\n

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Having joined Inter\u2019s academy back in 2014, Pio Esposito has long been tipped for a glittering future with the Nerazzurri\u00a0\u2013 and a loan move to Serie B outfit Spezia proved to be the making of the forward.<\/p>\n

An impressive tally of 17 league goals from Pio Esposito nearly helped Spezia gain promotion last season, two years after the club were relegated from the Italian top flight.<\/p>\n

It earned Esposito a recall to Inter\u2019s first-team squad in the summer and the towering 6 ft 3 in centre-forward has earned rave reviews while netting seven times for his boyhood team across an eye-catching campaign.<\/p>\n

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The forward has scored seven goals in all competitions for Inter this term (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Inter secured Pio Esposito on a salary of around \u20ac1million-a-season (\u00a3800,000-a-season) until 2030 prior the Club World Cup \u2013 a deal that will need to be negotiated should big teams like Arsenal continue to sniff around the youngster.<\/p>\n

Pio Esposito has established himself as a clear favourite under Cristian Chivu since returning to the San Siro, despite not yet nailing down his place as a regular starter.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s the merit of a boy who wants to prove himself,\u2019 the Inter Milan boss Chivu recently said of Pio Esposito\u2019s meteoric rise.<\/p>\n

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Esposito shares a close relationship with Inter boss Chivu (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018He wants to put himself on the line and take responsibility like everyone else: if things don\u2019t go well, it\u2019s my fault. <\/p>\n

\u2018But I like that they follow me and want to make this season what we all hope it can be.\u2019<\/p>\n

As the former head coach of Inter Milan\u2019s Primavera academy side, Chivu joked that he had \u2018practically grown up\u2019 alongside Pio Esposito.<\/p>\n

\u2018He was a small kid, tall. He barely reached my chest. We\u2019ve practically grown up together,\u2019 he explained.<\/p>\n

\u2018I know his family, I know his background, his journey through the youth system. He was an underage captain in my\u00a0Inter\u00a0Primavera team. <\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m happy for him, just as I am for the rest of the team.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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