Arsenal are keeping a close eye on up and coming striker Pio Esposito, who plays for Inter Milan and Italy at the moment.

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The international break means no club games to keep an eye on – but there are still lots of talented players in action, and the chance for scouts to see them in different contexts.

A report from TeamTalk today notes that Arsenal target Pio Esposito scored for Italy against Turkey in his team’s 4-1 win. The scouts were there to watch Arda Guler of Real Madrid, but it was the Italian striker who ended up stealing the show.

“Arsenal have also been doing checks on Esposito during the Serie A campaign, with those assessments going well following his impressive start to the season,” the report claims.

Esposito showing more evidence he can be number 9 Arsenal have searched for

Pio Esposito fights for the ball for Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

As is so often the case with young players in Serie A, it’s been a painfully slow road for Esposito to get the minutes he deserves. He ended last season with ten goals, and has gradually earned the trust of the club and his manager. He has two in five games this year.

Arsenal have a good solution up top in Kai Havertz, but have yet to find the elite number 9 that would really take this team to the next level. Esposito, if he keeps scoring and keeps impressing, could end up being their next attempt to find it.

It won’t be cheap – Esposito signed a new contract back in the summer, and Inter are aware of what a talent they have on their hands.