**Arsenal sent scouts to keep tabs on Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito at the beginning of last week, according to reports.**
[_TEAMtalk_](https://www.teamtalk.com/arsenal/pio-esposito-future-arsenal-transfer-scouting-mission) claim that Gunners’ representatives were in the stands as Italy thrashed Turkey 4-1 in Bursa.
It is believed that they were also there to keep an eye on Real Madrid’s Arda Guler, but the main subject of interest was Esposito.
The 21-year-old did get on the scoresheet, bagging Italy’s 4th five minutes after halftime.
Why is Esposito being pursued?
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_TEAMtalk_ report that his profile makes him an attractive target for manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta.
Esposito is described as a “physically dominant forward”, and he certainly has an eye for goal too, having scored 2 and provided 1 assist in 5 appearances for Inter so far this season.
Securing his services won’t be easy, though. As well as there being competition for the striker’s signature from the likes of Manchester United, he has only recently signed a new contract.
Esposito put pen to paper on a six-year deal early last month, keeping him with the Nerazzurri until the summer of 2032.
Arsenal may be seeking a replacement for Gyokeres
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If the Premier League champions are actively scouting Esposito as claimed, it would suggest that the club are anticipating the departure of Viktor Gyokeres.
The two players are very similar in terms of their style of play, but the big difference is that Esposito is seven years younger than the Swede.
Gyokeres has had an excellent international break, scoring 4 goals in 4 games for his country, and he is likely to start for Arsenal against Leeds this weekend, with Kai Havertz a [**doubt due to a hamstring injury**](https://goonernews.com/blog/arsenal-injury-news-ezri-konsa-christos-tzolis/).
Even so, it does seem like the recruitment team are looking to bring in a potential upgrade either in January or at the end of the season.