Lautaro Martinez has admitted ‘I don’t like’ the rumours around his future at Inter Milan, with Arsenal and Atletico Madrid reportedly interested in securing a transfer for the Argentine.
Speculation is rife that the Nerazzurri could look to cash in on the 24-year-old at the end of the season. He penned a new long-term contract with the San Siro side in October, but the Serie A giants may need to sacrifice Martinez well before those terms could expire in 2026.
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Inter Milan are facing yet another difficult summer where Simone Inzaghi may have to lose at least one key player. The Italian said farewell to Romelu Lukaku for £97.5m and Achraf Hakimi for an initial £51.5m in his first two months of replacing Antonio Conte at the helm.
Yet Corriere dello Sport report the Nerazzurri must end the next summer sales with profits of €60-70m (£50-58m). The Scudetto chasers also aim to reduce their wage bill by 10-15%. So, sporting director Piero Ausilio is already sounding out interest in Martinez’s services.
Ausilio met Atletico Madrid this week as Diego Simeone is keen on signing his compatriot. But the Colchoneros made it clear that they cannot afford Martinez’s release clause. Even though the striker’s new deal lowered the fee from €111m (£92m) to €70-80m (£58-66m).
Arsenal are also keen on Martinez, as CBS report the Gunners are scouting the Inter Milan star extensively. Boss Mikel Arteta must sign at least one centre-forward in the off-season as Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both out of contract at the end of the term.
Arsenal target Martinez admits ‘I don’t like’ rumours around Inter Milan future
Martinez has piqued Arsenal’s interest ahead of the summer transfer window as he has hit 16 goals this season. The forward struck his latest on Friday to help Inter Milan beat Spezia 3-1 and stay within two points of Serie A leaders AC Milan, and still with one game in hand.
He also laid on the assist – his second of the term – for ex-Gunners attacker Alexis Sanches to round out the scoring. But Inzaghi only fielded Martinez for the final 30 minutes, which is frustrating the Arsenal target as well as the speculation regarding his future at Inter Milan.
“We talk a lot and I don’t like this because I’ve always given my best for Inter,” he said, via Calciomercato. “I don’t like these rumours. When I have to be on the bench, I am angry because I always want to play. What matters is lending a hand to teammates and Inter.”
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