Inter Milan are evaluating potential replacements for Lautaro Martinez in case owners Suning decide to sell the Tottenham Hotspur target this summer, per TuttoMercatoWEB.
The Serie A champions cannot rule out parting with both of their starting strikers in the same transfer window. Edin Dzeko will replace Romelu Lukaku with the Belgian edging ever nearer to a second chance at Chelsea.
Inter expect to finalise the Roma striker’s arrival on a two-year contract within the next two to three days. After that, finding a replacement for Martinez becomes the main task with a handful of options to be explored, even though they intend to discuss a new contract first.
Tottenham and Atletico Madrid would welcome moves to sign Martinez this summer with Inter desperate for cash. The Nerazzurri would like to renew his £81,000-per-week contract expiring in 2023 with revived terms, but have sought replacements in case Suning sell.
Nerazzurri chiefs are in constant talks with Atalanta over Duvan Zapata’s situation and also admire Lazio forward Joaquin Correa. But it is another Biancocelesti star that Inter would want to pursue the most if Martinez were to depart.
Inter are considering opening negotiations with Lazio over signing Ciro Immobile as the Argentine’s San Siro successor. Talks could take off from mid-August if Martinez leaves, but are aware of the high price needed for the 31-year-old.
Reports by ESPN note Inter may sell Martinez as Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi’s exits may not raise enough capital. Suning are also listening to offers to sell the Italian giants amid crippling financial pressure and a focus on domestic spending in China.
Tottenham will pay close attention to Martinez amid Inter interest in Immobile
Tottenham will be paying close attention to Martinez’s situation and any attempt Inter make to sign Immobile. ESPN add Spurs are pushing to sign the Argentine and would pay €71m (£60m) to pair him with Harry Kane.
Arsenal are also interested, per Eurosport, although football.london report Martinez is keen to join Tottenham if he leaves Inter. The 23-year-old wants to play with compatriots Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso in north London.
But either signing Martinez would acquire a premier talent lauded by the best. TalkSPORT quote Lionel Messi calling the striker ‘spectacular’, as he is a ‘complete’ player. “He’s very strong,” Messi added. “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.”
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