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Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly considering a Premier League move for Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito, who scored nine goals across Serie A and the Champions League last season, although a new contract with the reigning Italian champions appears to be the more likely outcome.

Why Esposito has attracted interest

Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly made late enquiries for Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito, with both Premier League giants assessing whether the 21-year-old could be persuaded to leave San Siro. According to CaughtOffside, the two English clubs have been in touch with people close to the forward to understand whether he would be open to a move before the 2026-27 season. Both clubs already have attacking options, but with four competitions to deal with this season, added firepower and squad depth remain important for both managers as they look to strengthen their title ambitions.

The numbers driving the interest

Esposito's progress helps explain why he is being watched so closely. The academy product made 20 starts and 24 substitute appearances across Serie A and the Champions League last season, registering nine goals and five assists as Inter won the Scudetto. He has now played 50 matches for the club and has also broken into the senior Italy squad, earning nine caps. That output, combined with his age and homegrown background, fits the exact profile top English clubs have targeted in recent transfer windows — a young, proven finisher with the potential to develop into one of Europe's leading centre-forwards rather than a marquee, high-cost risk.

Inter standing firm

Despite the transfer speculation, the report states clearly that Esposito's priority is still Inter rather than a move to the Premier League. A verbal agreement over a new deal is already believed to be in place, with the striker eager to continue his development at the club that brought him through. That would be a major boost for Cristian Chivu, who already has strong competition for places in attack regardless of what happens with Esposito, with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram both established first-choice options. Keeping a highly rated academy product while also relying on two proven internationals would represent a significant show of strength from the newly crowned Serie A champions.

What happens next?

Even as Serie A winners, Inter are preparing for interest from clubs attracted by the financial power English football can offer, and Arsenal and Manchester United's decision to make enquiries underlines the level of admiration Esposito has generated outside Italy. But unless there is a dramatic change in his thinking, every indication suggests the forward will extend his stay and continue battling for minutes behind Martinez and Thuram instead of moving to the Premier League this summer. Both English clubs are still expected to keep exploring the market, with the striker position likely to remain a key area of focus before the transfer window closes.