Man Utd Given Clear Run at Inter Milan's Pio Esposito After Arsenal Rule Themselves Out

The race for Inter Milan's Pio Esposito appears to have one fewer competitor, with Arsenal seemingly withdrawing from the hunt for the highly-regarded young striker.

Esposito has long been on the radar of several Premier League suitors, but Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on persistent reports linking the Gunners with the 20-year-old Italian forward. According to transfer specialist Matteo Morreto, Arsenal simply aren't interested in the player—a position that clears the way for Manchester United to make their move.

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta previously described Esposito as "something of a predestined talent for several years," and the striker has certainly lived up to the billing. This season alone, he's notched seven goals and six assists across 37 appearances for the Serie A outfit.

Romano elaborated on the situation, explaining that while Arsenal do their usual scouting diligently across Europe—and it's hardly surprising they'd monitor a talent of Esposito's calibre, particularly given Andrea Berta's Italian connections and expertise in Serie A—the Gunners have never actually tabled an offer. "Arsenal never made a proposal, they never approached anyone," Romano clarified, adding that Mikel Arteta's side are casting their net wider in their search for attacking reinforcements.

The Gunners' focus appears to be elsewhere. Having already splashed significant funds on Viktor Gyokeres last summer, Arsenal seem intent on exploring different attacking profiles rather than another traditional number nine. Their attentions are also split between hunting for right-back and midfield options.

Yet even with Arsenal out of the picture, Manchester United face a considerable obstacle. Esposito remains locked into a long-term Inter contract that doesn't expire until summer 2030, and the Nerazzurri have made abundantly clear they're not entertaining offers. Should United wish to prise him away from Milan, they'd need to table an eye-watering bid to change Inter's mind.