Graham Potter seeks to solve Chelsea issue as price emerges for Serie A striker wanted by Man Utd, Tottenham

A report in Italy claims Chelsea are set to launch a bid to sign Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as they look for a long-term solution up front.

The Blues spent big during the summer transfer window, with more than £250m invested in new players. However, nearly £200m of that outlay was on defensive stars. Wesley Fofana arrived from Leicester while Marc Cucurella was a big-money acquisition from Brighton.

The west Londoners paid Napoli in the region of £35m for Kalidou Koulibaly to complete the trio of new faces in the rearguard.

Then manager Thomas Tuchel did reinforce his attacking ranks, with England ace Raheen Sterling lured from Manchester City.

And Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made a surprise return to the Premier League after just 24 games for Barcelona.

The Stamford Bridge outfit ended Timo Werner’s Chelsea nightmare, selling the Germany international back to RB Leipzig.

And fellow hitman Romelu Lukaku’s troubled second spell with Chelsea was interrupted by a season-long loan back to Inter.

Graham Potter’s arrival appears to have galvanised the squad. They sit fifth in the Premier League standings and are unbeaten since the end of August.

The former Brighton chief has also guided them to the Champions League knockout stage with one group game to spare.

But there is a sense that they still lack a striker, with Sterling’s three goals topping their league scoring charts.

And with that in mind, Inter Live are reporting that Potter has his eyes on Inter’s Argentina international.

Chelsea face battle for Martinez

Martinez is currently in his fifth season for the Serie A giants. He has already bagged 64 league goals with 81 scored in all competitions.

And the South American has found the net on seven occasions in 2022-2023.

He is under contract at the San Siro until the summer of 2026. And the report adds that Inter will demand a fee in the region of €90m for the former Racing ace’s signature.

Manchester United and Tottenham have both been linked with the talented forward.

Liverpool were also mentioned in connection with Martinez but that particular trail appears to have gone cold.

Any suitor will need to work hard to land their target. Just this week, the man with 21 international goals stated that he is ‘only thinking about Inter’.

Whether or not he would be open to a Premier League switch only time will tell. But Inter will not want to lose such an important player.

The report does not state whether Chelsea will target the player in January or next summer.

Broja makes waves at Chelsea

Chelsea have scored 16 top-flight goals this term from 11 different players. Defenders and midfielders have chipped in but it seems as though Potter wants an out-and-out goalscorer in his ranks.

One man who has emerged this term is Armando Broja. The 21-year-old has finally been given a chance at the Bridge after loan spells with Vitesse and Southampton.

The Albania international has enjoyed one league star among nine outings. And he notched his first goal for the club in a 3-0 triumph over Wolves.

He is by no means the finished product but Potter has been impressed with his cameo appearances.

Broja might be one for the future but Chelsea need a superstar forward to help the likes of Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic.

They have spent a lot of money and Martinez will not come cheap.

But new owner Todd Boehly has already shown that he is prepared to back his manager when it comes to recruitment.

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