Chelsea look set to miss out on Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez this month.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea believed that they could sign Lautaro Martinez, with Mauricio Pochettino keen on his countryman.
However, the 26-year-old has confirmed that he is about to sign a new contract at Inter in a blow to the Blues. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano relayed the player’s comments yesterday.
Martinez continues to deliver for Inter. This season, the Argentine has scored 16 goals in 17 Serie A games.
Lautaro Martinez confirms new contract is imminent
It would now be a surprise if Martinez did not put pen to paper on a contract extension and ended up leaving the San Siro.
On his future, the Argentina international said: “I’m close to signing [a] new deal here at Inter, the negotiations are advanced. It’s just [a] matter of time.”
Lautaro Martinez joining Chelsea in January always seemed unlikely
Chelsea have the name and the money. Signing Martinez in the summer did not sound impossible.
However, landing him this month always seemed like a difficult task. The forward is Inter’s top scorer and probably their best player. Why would they sell him in the middle of the season?
It is a shame, as Martinez looks like he could have been the perfect addition to Pochettino’s squad.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss is lacking that prolific No.9. In Italy, Martinez has obviously proven to be one.
But it now looks like Chelsea will have to turn elsewhere in their bid to strengthen up front with Martinez seemingly going nowhere.
Christopher Nkunku has picked up another injury, so improving their attack could be about to become a more pressing matter. But doing that is not easy, especially in January when top teams are reluctant to sell their stars.
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