Inter’s star striker, Lautaro Martinez, has piqued the interest of footballing powerhouses Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester United, with the 25-year-old Argentine expected to part ways with Italy after the Champions League final on Saturday, according to sources at 90min.
Martinez is currently in the midst of his most successful season at Inter, having netted an impressive 21 goals and provided seven assists in Serie A. His performance in the upcoming European finale in Istanbul against Manchester City could potentially add to his already notable season stats.
Whilst Martinez has long been on the radar of Europe’s footballing elite, it is understood by 90min that his representatives have recently started discussions with multiple clubs, signalling that Martinez is seeking a fresh challenge this summer.
The English teams, Chelsea and United, have been tracking Martinez’s progress for quite some time, and are ready to put in offers during the summer transfer window. However, they face competition from Real Madrid, another long-term admirer of the Argentine striker, whose interest has intensified as they brace for a major shake-up in their forward line.
Real Madrid have recently bid farewell to several key players, including Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard, Marco Asensio, and Mariano Diaz, leaving them on the lookout for impactful additions to their squad. Chelsea’s Kai Havertz is one potential candidate, but his high asking price has, so far, deterred any formal approaches.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane remains the preferred choice for both Real Madrid and United, yet it’s understood that Spurs are adamant about retaining their star English striker. This has led both clubs to consider alternative targets.
Consequently, Martinez, who is anticipated to leave Inter after the Champions League final, has surfaced as a strong contender for not only United and Real Madrid, but also Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino’s team are keeping a close eye on Kane’s situation as they too seek a fresh forward, maintaining regular contact with Inter over several matters, including Romelu Lukaku’s future and their interest in goalkeeper Andre Onana. Discussions around Chelsea’s stance on Martinez have also been held.
Victor Osimhen of Napoli is another name in the mix for the two Premier League clubs, but his anticipated transfer fee of well over €100m could prove to be a stumbling block.
