Arsenal are 'exploring the opportunity to sign' Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez over the next month.
That's according to a report earlier this week from The Athletic, who claim that the Gunners are looking to make a big-money move for the Argentina international.
The report claims that Martinez would be interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium if Inter were to offload the 23-year-old, who has two years remaining on his deal at the San Siro.
Arsenal were not expecting the Inter star to be placed on the transfer market this summer, but last season's Serie A champions are in desperate need of money after a tough spell during the coronavirus pandemic.
So, Martinez could be an excellent option for Mikel Arteta, as the Arsenal boss looks to bolster his attacking options as we enter the final month of the summer transfer window.
And, as it turns out, Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi has already explained to the Gunners' board why they should spend the big money on signing his international team-mate.
Speaking in 2020, Messi said: “He’s spectacular. He has impressive qualities.
"You could tell he was going to be a great player and he is showing that.
“He’s very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals and in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own.
"He has a lot of quality. He’s very complete.”
With Messi, arguably the greatest footballer of all-time, a fan of Martinez, it's not a bad reference for the Inter Milan attacker to have.
Martinez himself spoke about his future at the San Siro earlier this summer and namechecked the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund as potential destinations.
“Barcelona? Yes, it is true, it was a concrete possibility,” the Argentine said in an interview with El Libero.
“But we ended the season late, and there were also the COVID problems so I decided to stay. I’m telling you, thankfully! It was the right decision!
“Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund wanted me, but one day I spoke with Ausilio, Zanetti and Milito.
“I understood that Milano was the perfect solution for me, the right city in the right moment. And I didn’t make a mistake, I liked everything from the first day, the club, the fans.”
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