Arsenal want Inter Milan’s Serie A champion Lautaro Martinez but, according to Tuttomercatoweb, the striker would prefer to join a club like Premier League rivals Liverpool.
Form really is a fickle mistress.
Not so long ago, as the Argentine international went ten games without a goal, it seemed that Lautaro couldn’t hit a barn door with a double bass, let alone a banjo. Tuesday night’s performance against bitter rivals AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, however, was a ruthless reminder as to what Martinez is capable of, when fit, focused and firing.
His first of the 3-0 win was a brutal combination of efficiency and aesthetics; A thundering volley lashed home with barely a second thought. His second was equally devastating but almost entirely different; Dinked over the onrushing Mike Maignan with his other foot.
Albiceleste legend Hernan Crespo calls Martinez ‘the new Aguero’. And his one-man wrecking ball of a performance in the Milan derby was one the former Manchester City talisman would be proud to call his own.
Which club would Lautaro Martinez leave Inter Milan for?
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal held talks with Martinez’s representatives recently.
And while Inter would rather avoid cashing in on a star striker for the second year running, their perilous financial situation may take that decision out of their hands. The Nerazzuri would reportedly – and reluctantly – accept a bid of £58 million.
But while Inter may be willing to listen to offers from Arsenal, the same cannot be said of the player himself.
TMW say that Martinez has already turned his nose up at a Gunners side who, after losing three straight games, are at serious risk of missing out on Champions League football yet again.
The report adds that Martinez would only want to leave his beloved Inter for a European giant capable of winning trophies and winning them immediately. A Liverpool. A Real Madrid. A Manchester City, for instance.
“Lautaro Martinez is one of the best strikers in the world,” former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino once said (BR).
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“It’s not just for what he does now, but for what his potential means going forward. If you start looking at hitmen for the big clubs, clearly his name has to be in there.”
Recovering from an uncharacteristic dry spell in front of goal, Lautaro has now scored 19 goals in all competitions, including a wonderful winner at Anfield in the Champions League.
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