Manchester United Transfer News: Andrea Belotti Price Confirmed by Torino Chief

Torino striker Andrea Belotti will not be sold to Manchester United for anything less than his €100 million (£88.4 million) buyout clause, according to club president Urbano Cairo. 

Per The Independent's Mark Critchley, he told Radio 24: 

"I care about Belotti and I'm keeping hold of him. He has a contract with Torino until 2021. I would only sell him for €100 million, but even then he can refuse.

"The most important thing is what he wants, regardless of the release clause, and I believe he wants to stay. We are trying to build the best possible team at Torino."

According to Critchley, Belotti is among United's top striking targets along with Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata.

Football writer Tom McDermott demonstrated the Red Devils' dire need for more firepower this summer:

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic—who scored 17 of their 54 Premier League goals—no longer at the club, their need is even more pressing.

Belotti would be an excellent candidate for United after an outstanding season in which he stood out as both a ruthless goalscorer and creative force in the final third despite playing for a side that finished mid-table in Serie A.

Squawka Football shared the numbers behind his campaign:

Meanwhile, OptaPaolo noted the impressiveness of his achievement when he bagged a quickfire hat-trick against Palermo in March:

His form has also seen him break into Italy's senior squad, and the 23-year-old has four goals in nine caps for the Azzurri.

The striker's intelligent movement and excellent positional sense help him evade defenders regularly, and he's adept at taking any chances presented to him.

He also has the strength and physicality that should allow him to cope well in the Premier League and help him hold the ball up for his team-mates. He also works relentlessly from the front to close down defenders and regain possession for his side.

Here's a look at him in action:

According to Critchley, the powers that be at Old Trafford "believe that the Serie A club could be persuaded to accept [a] lower amount" than his release clause.

Indeed, while Torino's desire to keep him is understandable, United could still offer a substantial bid to test their resolve.

The English outfit could afford to meet his clause, but any money they can save on the transfer would mean more can be spent on further firepower and perhaps an additional midfielder too.