One of European football’s most deadliest strikers could be about to become a top target for Chelsea.
Chelsea have been linked with a whole host of forwards recently, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
It has been claimed that scouts at Chelsea have already recommended to the club that Sesko be brought in when the transfer window opens.
Talk of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen also refuses to go away, with the Nigerian appearing to be the Blues’ priority for the striker position right now.
However, if Chelsea fail to land him, it looks like they could quickly turn their attention to Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.
Lautaro Martinez emerging as a top target for Chelsea
According to HITC, Osimhen remains at the summit of Chelsea’s shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, the same outlet has reported that Martinez is also now emerging as a priority target and is the man the Blues could turn to if they cannot sign his Serie A rival.
Martinez will not come cheap. Sportslens claimed back in January that Inter valued the 26-year-old at £80m minimum.
It is a signing that Mauricio Pochettino would likely be on board with, with the Argentine once hailing his compatriot as “one of the best strikers in the world”.
How do Lautaro Martinez and Victor Osimhen compare?
In Martinez and Osimhen, you are probably looking at the two best forwards in Serie A.
They are both quality strikers, although this season, the former has outscored his rival.
In 26 Serie A games, Martinez has scored 23 goals, while Osimhen has managed 11 in 17. However, the 25-year-old has shown that he can be prolific like Martinez, netting 26 times in 32 league outings last term.
Over the past 12 months, the Argentina international has done the dirty work of a striker better as well. As per FBref, he has ranked in the 82nd percentile for tackles, 97th for interceptions and 85th for blocks among forwards. Osimhen, in contrast, has ranked in the 24th, 68th and third respectively.
Considering all of the above, perhaps Martinez should actually be Chelsea’s No.1 striker target for the summer. Osimhen still represents a very good option, though, and if Pochettino can get his hands on either, it should put his side on course to have a much better season than the one that they are currently having.
The Blues sit in 11th in the Premier League table. With a world-class forward like Martinez or Osimhen, they should be nowhere near there next term. Hopefully a deal can be struck for one of the two.