Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez is reportedly keen to seal a box-office summer move to Chelsea as Mauricio Pochettino intensifies his interest.
The Blues are looking for a new center-forward during the current transfer window after scoring just 38 goals in 38 Premier League games in 2022-23.
Kai Havertz was the team’s joint-top scorer last season, with nine goals in all competitions, and he has been reported to be on his way to Arsenal.
With Romelu Lukaku unlikely to return to the club after a loan spell at Inter, Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Lukaku’s clubmate Martinez as a top attacking target this summer.
According to Football Insider, the Argentine would be interested in joining Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United have also been connected with a bid for Martinez, and the report implies that he would be open to a transfer to Old Trafford as well.
The World Cup winner is hungry to play in the Premier League and might be available for about £60m this summer.
Inter would want to keep Martinez at the San Siro, but are willing to accept bids for any of their players in order to comply with Financial Fair Play rules.
See Also: Manchester United ‘Closing In On £60m Deal For Chelsea Star’
However, vice president Javier Zanetti recently maintained that Martinez is pleased at the Champions League runners-up and that there have been no negotiations with any clubs about a prospective move.
“There’s nothing with other clubs for Lautaro, no negotiations. I can guarantee that Lautaro’s very happy at Inter,” Zanetti is quoted as saying by Metro.
Real Madrid are also said to be interested in the 25-year-old attacker, who scored 28 goals and produced 11 more in 57 games across all competitions last season.
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