Striker worth €70m has Prem transfer on his mind amid Man Utd, City links
Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez now believes the Premier League will be his ideal next destination, according to a report.
Martinez has performed well since joining Inter in 2018. The striker has scored 43 goals in 116 games for them, also adding 16 assists.
He has long been linked with a move away from San Siro. Barcelona was his preference before, but there has been Premier League interest in him for a long time.
Recently, it seemed as if Martinez would be on the verge of signing a new contract with Inter. However, it appears his future is still in question.
According to Don Balon, Martinez is yet to commit to the new terms on offer because he is weighing up a move to England in the future.
Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested in the striker. A report back in October claimed United had even placed him above Erling Haaland on their striker shortlist.
Now, Don Balon claim that Martinez would cost more than €70m. That could be a reasonable price for one of the best attackers in Serie A.
Both United and City would also be able to offer him better wages than what he earns with Inter. However, money is not the decisive factor for the Argentine, but guarantees of regular playing time.
Presumably, that would be on offer if any club was willing to spend that much money on a player.
City are in need of a successor to Sergio Aguero, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Martinez has similar traits to his compatriot so could be a natural heir.
What will happen with Aguero's City future?
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez 'fits the bill' as a long-term replacement to Sergio Aguero at Manchester City, says Goal reporter Jonathan Smith.
United are also looking for a long-term successor to a South American striker. Uruguay international Edinson Cavani has done reasonably well since his arrival, but a younger option will be needed at some point.
With both teams able to afford Martinez, there could be a Manchester rivalry for his signature.
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Another Serie A star on way to Manchester?
Meanwhile, another report suggests a player from Inter’s rivals AC Milan could also end up in Manchester.
Hakan Calhanoglu is the man in question, with the midfielder out of contract at the end of the season.
He has long been linked with United and as doubts about his willingness to sign up with Milan continue, there is a belief that the Premier League team are working in the background.
