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Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan has apparently been highlighted as a possible summer transfer target for English Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners are having one of their best Premier League seasons in a long time, sitting three points clear at the top of the table ahead of Wednesday’s clash with nearest rivals Manchester City.
Arsenal Looking to Add More Goals Next Season
However, because to the absence of Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson in the second half of the season, Mikel Arteta has been left short with regards his squad in the final third.
More significantly, Gabriel Jesus has been out of consideration since suffering a knee injury in Brazil’s World Cup, which has ruled him out until at least March.
Eddie Nketiah has been a solid deputy this season, contributing four top-flight goals, but he has failed to produce any goals in his previous two league appearances.
The absence of goals against Everton and Brentford has allowed City to close an eight-point difference, and Arsenal will understandably begin to examine alternatives for the summer.
According to the soccer outlet Football Insider, a bid for Inter striker Martinez is being considered. The World Cup winner is reported to be top of the club’s summer shopping list as they look to strengthen their striking options.
Martinez’ Up & Down Form at Inter
The North Londoners are claimed to have long admired the Argentina international, despite the striker not always performing at his best at San Siro.
This season, the Argentinean has been in particularly good form. The 25-year-old has provided 13 goals and five assists in 28 Serie A and Champions League games.
Nonetheless, his efforts have mostly come in spurts, whereas Martinez failed to score in 240 minutes of World Cup involvement for his country. The forward did nonetheless step up in a penalty shootout to help his side win the World Cup.
In all the striker has netted 21 goals in 46 appearance for his national team while providing seven assists.
The Argentinean hitman has spent five seasons at Inter after signing from Racing Club in his native country for 25 million euros. Although Martinez has a contract until 2026, the report suggests that Inter may be willing to cash in on his signature if a bid in excess of £70 million is made from potential suitors.
That will be seen as the market worth for a player with 120 goals and assists in 212 appearances across all competitions throughout his Italian tenure.
Arsenal will likely be able to afford the striker’s hefty price tag given their recent bid of the same amount for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. The club were also lining up a big bid for Ukrainian winger Mudryk before Chelsea swooped in to sign the Shakhtar player.
Arsenal is thought to have made contact with Martinez’s advisors in preparation for a possible formal bid during the summer. Regardless of whether or not the Gunners win the English top flight this season, they will look to add Martinez up front to ensure that they are competitive on all fronts ahead of next season.
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