Manchester United prepared to end Andrea Belotti pursuit as Torino refuse to budge on £84m asking price

The Italian is being priced out of a move by club president Urbano Cairo

Manchester United's pursuit of Torino’s Andrea Belotti looks increasingly unlikely, with the Serie A club unwilling to accept an offer lower than the 23-year-old striker’s £84m buy-out clause.

United are themselves unwilling to pay such a fee for a player who has just one outstanding season behind him and are losing faith that Il Toro will lower their demands.

Torino's president, Urbano Cairo, warned earlier this week that he is not willing to let his star striker leave without a fight.

“I care about Belotti and I'm keeping hold of him,” Cairo told Radio 24. “He has a contract with Torino until 2021. I would only sell him for €100m, 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.”

Jose Mourinho is meanwhile more intent on adding a defensive midfielder than an extra option to compliment top target Alvaro Morata, and United are currently pursuing a number of options.

They may yet challenge Chelsea’s pursuit of 22-year-old Tiemoue Bakayoko of Monaco, although he is currently likely to go to Stamford Bridge, while sources close to both Old Trafford and the French club are adamant that there has been contact between intermediaries regarding Bakayoko’s teammate Fabinho.

Monaco are under no pressure to sell, and will insist on a high price for the 23-year-old, meaning Mourinho could yet turn to his former Chelsea player Nemanja Matic or the back-up option of Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier.