Inter Milan are now prepared to sell Lautaro Martinez to sign the reported Arsenal target’s compatriot Paulo Dybala from Juventus in a free transfer, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.
Dybala is getting set to leave the Allianz Stadium at the end of the season after the Serie A side opted against renewing his contract. The forward’s existing deal expires this June after he and the Bianconeri failed to agree new terms to prolong the 28-year-old’s time in Turin.
Juventus refused to match the Argentine’s demands as they no longer see him as central to their long-term project. Inter Milan, however, are big fans of the shadow striker and are prepared to offer Dybala a €7m-a-year (£112k-a/w) deal to move to the San Siro for free.
But before chairman Giuseppe Marotta can welcome Dybala to Milan, Inter must first clear a space in their squad. And Nerazzurri chiefs feel Martinez can be the ideal makeweight for a deal. Alexis Sanchez could also leave the San Siro this summer, but in a separate transfer.
Martinez is the more likely makeweight for Dybala as Inter Milan anticipate earning a more significant sum with the 24-year-old. Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio also agree that his exit is likely their best way to afford the economic terms Dybala will likely demand.
Arsenal land Martinez boost as Inter Milan plot free Dybala transfer
Inter Milan eying Dybala’s free transfer from Juventus with the expectation of also selling Martinez hands Arsenal a boost for Mikel Arteta’s reported summer striker signing plans.
That’s because FC Inter 1908 reported last month the Gunners, Barcelona and Manchester United had made first advances towards negotiating the forward’s potential summer exit.
But Martinez still saw his future at the San Siro, which put the English and Spanish outfit’s interest on hold. Yet the Nerazzurri being willing to sacrifice the forward Rio Ferdinand has praised for his ‘fabulous’ shooting could force the 37-cap star to reconsider his future.
Although Arsenal, Barcelona or Manchester United will likely have to agree to Inter Milan’s €90m (£75m) valuation, per Calciomercato, to prise Martinez away in a summer transfer.
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