Arsenal push for stunning Lautaro Martinez transfer with Inter striker a serious target for Mikel Arteta in summer window with deal possible. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
In the transfer window it is always recommended to bide one’s time when it comes to rumours in order to see how they develop. Arsenal holding an interest in Lautaro Martinez felt almost too good to be true. It isn’t.
Trying to decipher what it is Arsenal are planning to do this summer will leave you with a searing headache. On the one hand, it’s very clear that the general age of the squad is being reduced with fresh blood to complement the exciting core, but equally, where is being strengthened changes the dynamic.
Seeing Arsenal resort to offering Granit Xhaka a new contract with Roma continuing to be a few million short of the asking price, a move that saves them having to go out and sign a more expensive midfielder, yet also splurge £50m on a centre-back raises eyebrows.
It’s evident there is money in the bank, but cost cutting measures being taken in some areas – even if there could be some tactics in play – do suggest a limit to the budget.
Arsenal push for stunning Lautaro Martinez transfer with Inter striker a serious target for Mikel Arteta in summer window with deal possible
With a right-back, goalkeeper, midfielder (if Xhaka goes) and attacking midfielder all on the agenda, rumours emerging of contact with Inter over Lautaro Martinez seem misplaced.
Opportunities to sign players of his calibre are not to be scoffed at. But they may have to be if the more vital areas of the squad to replenish remain untouched.
Previously reported and now followed up by The Athletic, is that Arsenal are serious about signing Martinez – and there is a deal to be struck with the Serie A champions. It appears the Gunners can do both.
Long-term admirers of the Argentinian, Inter are looking to move to a more sustainable financial model. While their desire is to keep hold of their best players, they need to sell. Achraf Hakimi has already been sold for a transfer that could total £60m, and even with a cash injection back in May, they need to run a tighter ship.
Needing to finish the transfer window with a net profit of €80m, Arsenal are seeing an opportunity arise they weren’t expecting. A plan was in place but given the state of the market, this gap is an ajar door they don’t want to see closed.
This move has even been mooted as a ‘simple’ one. Negotiating wouldn’t be a major concern as should Inter receive an acceptable offer – one classed as being at a reasonable price point – then the deal can be struck.
Can Arsenal pull this off, and what needs to happen first?
Continued…
@David_Ornstein, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://twitter.com/JamesHorncastle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@JamesHorncastle & <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://twitter.com/domfifield?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@domfifield for <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://twitter.com/TheAthleticUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@TheAthleticUK <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/AFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#AFC</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://t.co/nhFWT267wT">https://t.co/nhFWT267wT
<p>— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://twitter.com/gunnerblog/status/1421354586263236608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 31, 2021</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>Arsenal push for stunning Lautaro Martinez transfer with Inter striker a serious target for Mikel Arteta in summer window with deal possible</h2>
<p>With a right-back, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/25/arsenal-aaron-ramsdale-transfer-stance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">goalkeeper</a>, midfielder (if Xhaka goes) and attacking midfielder all on the agenda, rumours emerging of contact with Inter over Lautaro Martinez seem misplaced.</p>
<p>Opportunities to sign players of his calibre are not to be scoffed at. But they may have to be if the more vital areas of the squad to replenish remain untouched.</p>
<p>Previously reported and now followed up by <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://theathletic.co.uk/2741656/2021/07/31/arsenal-looking-into-move-for-inter-milan-striker-lautaro-martinez/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Athletic</a>, is that Arsenal are serious about signing Martinez – and there is a deal to be struck with the Serie A champions. It appears the Gunners can do both.</p>
<p>Long-term admirers of the Argentinian, Inter are looking to move to a more sustainable financial model. While their desire is to keep hold of their best players, they need to sell. Achraf Hakimi has already been sold for a transfer that could total £60m, and even with a cash injection back in May, they need to run a tighter ship.</p>
<p>Needing to finish the transfer window with a net profit of €80m, Arsenal are seeing an opportunity arise they weren’t expecting. A plan was in place but given the state of the market, this gap is an ajar door they don’t want to see closed.</p>
<p>This move has even been mooted as a ‘simple’ one. Negotiating wouldn’t be a major concern as should Inter receive an acceptable offer – one classed as being at a reasonable price point – then the deal can be struck.</p>
<p>Can Arsenal pull this off, and what needs to happen first?</p>
<p><em>Continued…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> How Arsenal can land Martinez </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-117568" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1317276042-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Lautaro Martinez" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MILAN, ITALY – MAY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates his goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Arsenal Must Sell Lacazette & Nketiah to Fund Lautaro Martinez Transfer</h2>
<p>As for almost every deal that has been mooted this summer, they are reliant on Arsenal selling players first. So far this window that has proven to be desperately difficult, with only loans sanctioned so far, but there are more bodies that can be shifted.</p>
<p>One of those is Hector Bellerin, who is in talks with Inter over summer switch. That opened the lines of communication and Arsenal have even offered Alexandre Lacazette as part of any deal to sign Martinez. Inter want a straight cash deal.</p>
<p>Lacazette must still be sold. So too Eddie Nketiah.</p>
<p>The pair are up for sale this window and while the former is proving tough to move on due to his age and wage packet, there are suitors for Nkeitah who has had a decent enough pre-season.</p>
<p>Other links to strikers have emerged during this window, with Alexander Isak one of the Gunners’ targets only to be ruled out having signed a contract extension with Real Sociedad. Tammy Abraham is also on the radar.</p>
<p>Martinez, however, is an elite option. One of the finest strikers on the continent and someone Arsenal have tracked for a while – who wouldn’t?</p>
<p>Perhaps the most interesting point is that the 23-year-old is thought to be open to moving to north London. Despite Arsenal’s predicament, with only the <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://www.90min.com/leagues/premier-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League</a> to focus on, he remains interested.</p>
<p>Part of that may come from the salary boost he would receive. There would be an upgrade on his €2.5m annual net in wages.</p>
<p>Yet it comes down to selling. If Arsenal are serious about what they want to do this window, then they have to move players on. Nothing else will suffice.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="3 tactical roles for Ben White" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/30/arsenal-3-ben-white-tactical-roles/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/30/arsenal-3-ben-white-tactical-roles/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 tactical roles for Ben White </a> </div>
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<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/31/arsenal-push-lautaro-martinez-transfer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/28/arsenal-transfer-setback-goalkeeper-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Runarsson</a>, Lacazette, Bellerin, Xhaka, Torreira, Kolasinac, Cedric, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Willian, Nelson and Nketiah are all available for sale. Being ambitious and being realistic are two opposite ends of the spectrum. Arsenal’s ambitions can only be met if that allow them to enter realistic territory. That means selling.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
