Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez has attracted the interest of several Premier League clubs in recent transfer windows and the same outcome could be set for the summer. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been the English sides considering a move for him, with all three clubs looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of next season.
Inter are not looking to sell the forward this summer, but an offer of over £69million could force the Italian club to cash in on their star striker as Simone Inzaghi looks to raise funds to reinvest in the squad. Chelsea are in the market for a new No.9 with Mauricio Pochettino demanding Todd Boehly signs a new striker, central midfielder and goalkeeper this summer once he takes over the managerial reins.
Mikel Arteta wants to reinforce his squad as Arsenal prepare for a return to the Champions League next term and aim to challenge for the Premier League title once again. United are looking for a world-class replacement in attack after mutually agreeing to terminate Cristiano Ronaldo's contract at Old Trafford prior to the World Cup - with Wout Weghorst unlikely to be signed on a permanent deal after his six-month loan spell.
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According to Inter.Live, Martinez has been identified as a top target to lead the line for the Gunners next season and the club ‘could do everything’ to secure his signature.
The 25-year-old striker has scored 20 goals and provided a further 10 assists in 52 appearances for Inter this season, including the only goal of the game as they defeated city rivals AC Milan 1-0 on Tuesday night to secure their place in the Champions League final against Man City.
If both Arsenal and Chelsea come calling, Martinez could be forced to weigh up his options and consider whether he wants to play for the Argentine at Stamford Bridge or compete in the Champions League with the Gunners. Arteta’s side have progressed markedly this season, but despite spending the majority of the campaign at the top of the table, they appear set to end the campaign with nothing to show for their efforts.
Interestingly, Pochettino has been an admirer of Inter's Argentine striker for a while now. Three years ago, the former Tottenham boss was full of praise for Martinez.
"Lautaro Martinez is one of the best strikers in the world," Pochettino told Radio La Plata. "It's not just for what he does now, but for what his potential means going forward. If you start looking at hitmen for the big clubs, clearly his name has to be in there."
The Blues pipped their London rivals to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk during the January transfer window after agreeing an £88million deal with Shakhtar Donetsk. Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar could now get revenge for that move by securing a deal to bring Martinez to the Emirates Stadium ahead of Chelsea.
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