Arsenal have reportedly enquired about Lautaro Martinez’s availability during their discussion with Inter over Hector Bellerin’s switch to Italy. As reported by The Athletic, the Gunners are keen to land the highly-rated forward and are looking to sweeten the deal by including two players.
Arsenal and Inter have been locked in talks for Bellerin’s move to Serie A as the Nerazzurri aim to sign the Spaniard to replace Achraf Hakimi. But the 26-year-old right-back is no longer the only subject of discussion between the clubs as the Premier League side now want to engineer Martinez’s transfer to London.
Mikel Arteta is desperate to overhaul the squad that faltered in the Premier League last season, finishing eighth to miss out on European football for the first time in the 21st century. Despite having Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette at his disposal, the Spanish manager is hopeful of adding a household forward in the coming weeks.
Martinez seems to be an unrealistic option for Arsenal, considering his staggering price tag. However, the Londoners have devised a plan to whittle down Inter’s demands by introducing Bellerin and Lacazette as a makeweight. Yet, it is said that the Italians have already knocked back the prospect of getting the ex-Lyon striker in return as they look for cash only.
Inter heavily relied on Martinez to partner with Romelu Lukaku in the front third last season. The 23-year-old mustered up 17 goals and ten assists in 38 Serie A appearances in 2020/21 en route to helping the Nerazzurri bring Juventus’ nine-year tenure in Italy’s top-flight to a halt. So it is not surprising that they ask for north of £80million to sanction his departure.
Meanwhile, Arsenal would like to move Lacazette on in the summer because his contract at the Emirates runs out at the end of next season.