Arsenal have just been linked with a move to sign a title-winning striker.
The Gunners could be on the market for a new number nine this summer. Many feel that is the missing piece of Mikel Arteta‘s puzzle at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have been linked with a bunch of top-quality forwards since the turn of 2024, and now, a World Cup winner is said to be on Arteta’s summer transfer shortlist.
Journalist shares fresh Lautaro Martinez to Arsenal update
Lautaro Martinez has been on the radar of Premier League clubs for a long time.
The Argentina international, who helped Inter Milan win the Serie A title in April, has been in talks with the Nerazzuri over a new contract for a while now.
Martinez’s current deal at the San Siro will expire in the summer of 2026, and because there is no agreement yet, clubs are starting to take notice of the situation.
Italian journalist Fabio Santini has shared an update on Inter Milan’s stance on extending Martinez’s contract beyond 2026.
He has revealed that the Italian champions are offering the striker a contract that would pay him a salary between €9 million and €9.5 million (£7.6m-£8.1m) per year.
Martinez, however, is demanding €12 million (£10.2m) a year, and Santini reveals that if he doesn’t budge on his demands, Inter will be ready to sell him.
The journalist then adds that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are interested in signing Martinez this summer, along with his teammate Marcus Thuram.
Inter, however, are set to demand an eye-watering €140 million (£120m) for their star forward.
Santini told TVPlay Official on Twitch: “Arsenal are professing again this morning that they want Thuram. In reality, they would also like to take Lautaro. Inter don’t even take it into consideration.
“But, if Lautaro says he wants €10 million plus €2 million salary or he’s leaving, [Inter will say] ‘great, if Arsenal offer €140 million (£120m), we’ll sell you’.”
The journalist then explains how Inter have ‘a winning model and a savings self-management model,’ which means they’d rather sell their players than pay them crazy money.
Santini then added: “At €10 million, I believe that in the end Lautaro will reason and we will arrive at Inter’s offer, which is around €9-9.5 million. If instead he, and above all his agent, want €12 million, he’ll be shown the door.”
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What Lionel Messi has already said about Lautaro Martinez
Lionel Messi is arguably the greatest player in the history of football.
The Argentine has shared the dressing room with some incredible footballers over the years as well. He knows a world-class player when he sees one, and he seems to be a fan of Lautaro Martinez.
When the Inter Milan star was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in 2020, Messi publicly heaped praise on him.
He told Mundo Deportivo: “He is spectacular, he has impressive conditions, it was clear that he was going to be a great player, now he has exploded and is showing it.
“He is very strong, he has a very good one-on-one, he has scored a lot of goals. In the area, he fights with anyone, he endures, he turns, he finds it on his own.
“He has a lot of quality. He is very complete.”