Arsenal have reportedly ‘come forward’ for Napoli’s Andrea Petagna in recent weeks, with the club seeing him as ‘perfect’ for the Premier League, read on to see why…
I won’t lie, I had no clue who Andrea Petagna was when I first read about him and, when, I saw this photo I thought he was at least 35-years-old (I’m being kind). I also immediately thought of Diego Costa. Paul reckons Petagna would be welcome at his ‘aul lads game on a Thursday night.
Petagna is not 35.
He’s 25. Honest.
Just like Diego Costa was 25 when he was in England, I guess.
If you’re looking at him and wondering some things, I know. It’s why I included so many images of him.
But Calciomercato believe Arsenal have been watching him since his Atalanta days (more on that below) because they think he has “perfect for characteristics for the Premier League.”
For Stoke, maybe.
Arsenal got in touch and Napoli, reportedly, said ‘no’ immediately. They have no interest in selling.
I don’t believe them.
Petagna spent last season on loan with SPAL where he played 37 times (36 Serie A) and scored 12 goals (all league) with one assist. He was the 14th highest goalscorer in the Italian league for 19/20, scoring one more than Paul Dybala.
His value is reportedly around £13m even though he has four years left on his current deal with Napoli, who bought him from SPAL for £15.3m in January and loaned him back for the rest of the season. Basically, what Arsenal did with William Saliba, except Petagna has spent most of his career on loan.
He started with Milan youth in 2013 but two years later, when he made it to the Milan first team, he was sent on loan to Sampdoria. After that, he was loaned out to Latina Calcio, Vicenze, and Ascoli before being sold to Atalanta for £900k.
They sent him back on loan to Ascoli a day later.
After that stretch away, Atalanta decided to keep him for two years in which he made 75 appearances, scoring 11 and assisting 13.
They then decided it was time he should get back out on loan.
Off Petagna went to SPAL for a season before they bought the Italian for £10.8m at the end of the season. Six months later, they sent him on loan to Napoli, who purchased him for the aforementioned £15.3m and, as you already know if you’ve read this far, sent him back out on loan.
Despite all the moving around, Petagna as only turned out for four senior teams at the top level – Atalanta (75), SPAL (74), AC Milan (5) and Sampdoria (5).
He has scored a total of 69 goals with 20 assists in 269 games.
If you’re wondering if he also bites like Diego Costa, he’s has 39 yellows in his career and two straight reds, one coming at both Milan Primaera and Ascoli Calcio.
