Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsenal face brutal rejection from significant striker target who prefers five clubs

Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez, Inter celeb following goal in Serie A game v Salernitana

Arsenal are not of the standard of club that their striker target Lautaro Martinez is looking to join if he leaves Inter Milan this summer, a report claims.

Finding a new striker will be an essential piece of business for Arsenal in the summer. They look likely to lose Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah when their contract expire in June.

A new arrival could take them to the next level as they aim to continue their rebuild under Mikel Arteta. They should return to European football for next season, but still have some way to go to restore the glory days.

There is an understanding at the Emirates Stadium that signing a centre-forward should be a priority. With that in mind, it has recently been reported that Arsenal have a concrete interest in Lautaro Martinez.

However, Tuttomercatoweb have since cast doubt on Martinez’s willingness to join Arsenal – or another suitor in the shape of Atletico Madrid.

They claim that the Argentina international is holding out to join one of Europe’s elite clubs if he is on his way out of Inter. Five desirable destinations are mentioned: Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Whether the interest is reciprocal from any of them is not yet clear. Man City are closing in on the signing of Erling Haaland to fill their attacking void, for example.

Liverpool, for their part, already increased their forward options with the signing of Luis Diaz in January.

Lauturo Martinez boost for Liverpool as Inter look for replacement

Lauturo Martinez boost for Liverpool as Inter look for replacement

Lauturo Martinez may move to Liverpool this summer as Inter Milan look at replacement

Real Madrid have the in-form Karim Benzema and Bayern have Robert Lewandowski – who, coincidentally, is a Barcelona target despite the form of ex-Arsenal man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Camp Nou.

Lautaro Martinez under long-term Inter Milan contract

Consequently, each club seems to be well stocked enough without Martinez.

The 24-year-old may have to come to terms with the fact that Arsenal appear to be a more realistic option at this moment in time. That said, staying with Inter Milan may be preferable.

Last year, he signed a long-term contract until 2026 to remain at San Siro. However, exit links have not quietened down; Martinez could be a casualty if they look to make other signings in his position.

This season, he has scored 19 goals from 42 appearances in all competitions. That makes him Inter’s top scorer for the 2021-22 campaign so far.

For whom he will be putting the ball in the back of the net next season remains to be seen.

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