Torino President Urbano Cairo confirms they need a striker, kept a promise to Matteo Darmian and won’t sell other stars.

The Granata sold Darmian to Manchester United for around €20m including add-ons this summer, but brought in Italy Under-21 internationals Davide Zappacosta and Daniele Baselli from Atalanta.

“We have completely invested everything we got from Darmian’s sale. He generated €18m profit and we invested €23m, so went above and beyond,” declared Cairo.

Torino President Urbano Cairo confirms they need a striker, kept a promise to Matteo Darmian and won’t sell other stars.

The Granata sold Darmian to Manchester United for around €20m including add-ons this summer, but brought in Italy Under-21 internationals Davide Zappacosta and Daniele Baselli from Atalanta.

“We have completely invested everything we got from Darmian’s sale. He generated €18m profit and we invested €23m, so went above and beyond,” declared Cairo.

“We thought it the right thing to do faced with opportunities like Zappacosta, Baselli, Danilo Avelar, Ichazo and Afriyie Acquah. We sold one player, signed six and half of Benassi.”

There has been interest from big clubs for the likes of Kamil Glik, Nikola Maksimovic and Bruno Peres, but Cairo slammed the door.

“Obviously we received offers, but our intention is not to release anyone else unless we receive some crazy proposal. It’s not even an economic issue so much as the players not wanting to remain. As far as I can see, we don’t have that situation now.

“If anything we will bring in another striker and send someone out on loan to play regularly elsewhere.

“Darmian was a different matter, because last year when he asked to take an opportunity, I promised him he could go this summer. I had already sold Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci wanted to leave, so I asked Darmian to hold off for one more year.

“The offer arrived from Manchester United and it was hard to say no, especially for the player. I see no other similar situation here, so we intend to keep all our best players.”

A forward is required and the main target is Palermo youngster Andrea Belotti, but the return of Alessio Cerci from Milan was also rumoured.

“We made an approach for Belotti, but I prefer not to say who we are negotiating with in public, as I find it disrespectful. We are considering four names, two in Italy and two abroad.

“You all know how fond of Cerci we are and the Coach knows him very well. However, I don’t see his return as being possible because Cerci arrived here two years ago believing Torino would launch his career. That proved to be the case.

“Now coming back here it would be different. Motivation is fundamental and I don’t see the same motivation in him now.

“Our attitude brought us good fortune in the past and we have to maintain that. We’ve certainly got quality players, but that mustn’t give us the idea we’re aiming for certain positions. We must fight it out game by game and maintain that humility.

“It is important today to make steps forward without too much pressure. As small steps add up, we’ll see where we end up.”

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