It was Wayne Rooney who told Chelsea they need to sign a new striker this summer if they are to challenge at the top, and Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez is a long-term target.
Enzo Fernandez’s Argentina teammate has easily been the best striker in Italian football for several years now, and some reports suggest that the World Cup winner could be tempted with a summer exit.
Scoring 171 goals in 370 Inter Milan games, Martinez has continued to prove lethal in Italy’s top tier with 14 goals and four assists in 25 Serie A matches and a total of 18 goals in 35 games. One of the world’s best.
What’s the most you’d be willing to spend on Lautaro Martinez? 💸
Lautaro Martinez's potential transfer fee
Photo by Andrea Rosito/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Little surprise then, that Chelsea have a long-standing interest. Rooney says Chelsea need a top-quality striker to go to the next level and Martinez is that. Now, new reports suggest they might have a chance.
Inter Milan want to sign Chelsea player
According to Fabrizio Romano this week, Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has emerged as an option for Inter Milan. After two years of loans since his move to Chelsea in 2023, this term has been first in London.
Brazil v Tunisia - International Friendly
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Bit-part under Enzo Maresca, Santos enjoyed a run in the side following the appointment of Rosenior after working at Strasbourg with the Chelsea boss. But Romeo Lavia’s return has hindered his game time.
According to Romano, Santos has been in talks with Inter Milan for some time and while a move to Saudi Arabia has been rejected, the Brazil midfielder could entertain a move to Inter in the coming months.
Chelsea might just have the perfect chance, with a swap deal
Chelsea were told that Martinez is going to cost £86m. Todd Boehly’s approach of signing young players is because younger players offer resale value. Martinez, now 28, is not going to offer resale value.
He is going to be bought for a bigger fee than he will be when sold. But if Chelsea can reduce that initial fee, then Boehly is much more likely to sign off on a deal for Martinez. Well, Santos can help with that.
How much would you accept for Andrey Santos? 💵
Chelsea have already rejected a £40m+ offer!
Offering Inter a decent wedge of that £86m price tag as well as the services of Santos may just tempt Inter to finally accept the sale of their talisman in the coming months, especially if Martinez wants to go.
Those of an Inter persuasion might have hoped Martinez remains with the Nerazzurri for the rest of his career but that seems unlikely. A deal involving Santos gives Chelsea and Boehly a real chance to get him.
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