EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal target Inter Milan starlet Pio Esposito

Steve Kay

Updated: 13 Feb 2026 12:20 GMT
4 min read

Arsenal are scouting Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito — © IMAGO

Arsenal are plotting a summer transfer for Inter Milan’s promising young forward Pio Esposito, FootballTransfers can confirm, with Italy great Gianluigi Buffon having forecast a great career of the 20-year-old.

Article continues under the video

Sources have revealed that Esposito is a future target for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta’s side determined to sign a young, top-class forward.

Although Arsenal’s search has been expansive, the Inter academy graduate is very close to the top of their shortlist, FootballTransfers has been informed.

Current ETV

Pio Esposito

F (C)

Inter

Pio Esposito

F (C)

Inter

ETV Range

€24.6M - €30.1M

Arsenal scouting Esposito closely

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is keeping close tabs on the situation. He has asked for detailed feedback on the player from the Gunners’ Italy-based scouts.

Arteta, meanwhile, has already had the chance to see the player at close quarters, with Esposito having featured for half an hour during Inter’s 3-1 Champions League loss to Arsenal in January.

The plan would be to sign the striker as a backup option initially, with the aim of developing him in the long term.

For Esposito, this would not change his status greatly. Although he is hoping to push for a place in Italy’s World Cup squad, he is not a regular starter for the Nerazzurri, typically featuring off the bench.

A mentality hailed by Italy great Buffon

Esposito is a player who operates in the mould of a poacher and target man – the type of centre-forward that has come back into fashion in recent years.

He is not, however, fast and nor is he yet a particularly potent finisher, yet these are attributes that Arsenal will feel can be polished as he grows older.

Certainly, the Gunners look a good fit for his development, with SciSports giving the North London outfit a Club Fit score of 72 based on several key factors, including potential development, time, formation and playing style. Any score over 70 is strong, with 80 or above exceptional.

© IMAGO - Pio Esposito, Arsenal Club Fit

Indeed, legendary Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon recently warned against underestimating Esposito, whose growth mindset has the capacity to set him apart from his peers.

“He will be a step above anything you think he can be because I was lucky enough to be with him and to see him move on and off the pitch, and in the locker room,” Buffon, who is the Italy national team’s head of delegation, told DAZN.

"He's a professional, he has humility, a determination, a desire to learn, and an enthusiasm for being part of the team that I've seen in very few.”

Esposito sits behind compatriots Jeff Ekhator and Francesco Camarda as the third most promising Italian forwards aged 20 or under, according to FootballTransfers’ data.

What’s next for Esposito?

Esposito has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €27.4m, though Inter are likely to be reticent to allow such a promising young academy graduate to depart for such a fee.

Arsenal have not resolved to make a move at this point, though he is definitely a player of interest and the Gunners will continue to keep tabs on him ahead of the transfer window.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•Google Play

•App Store