Chelsea have shortlisted Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez as a possible option to solve their current centre forward dilemma, according to ESPN.
The Blues are searching desperately in the market for a new face to lead Thomas Tuchel’s attack, with their existing options failing to deliver.
Olivier Giroud is nearing the end of his career; Tammy Abraham’s future is still unclear and Timo Werner’s woes are well documented.
Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund remains top priority, with soon-to-be free agent Sergio Aguero also being monitored.
Romelu Lukaku’s name has been branded about, but Chelsea may instead look to his Serie A partner in crime.
Martinez is in fine form for Inter Milan, scoring 17 times in 39 appearances this season.
He signed for the Italian giants in 2018 and initially struggled to set the San Siro alight.
But after a settling in season, the 23-year-old is now firmly up there with the top scorers in his domestic division.
Many have struck a likeness between Martinez and Aguero, not only because of their Argentinian heritage.
Hernan Crespo, a former Chelsea and Milan striker, told Sky Italia: “We are knowing Lautaro now. Can he be the new Aguero? Yes, perhaps less clean in dribbling but more team man than him.”
If the Blues do move in for Martinez, it will not come cheap.
Sky Sports reported that Inter would only let him leave if his £99.7m release clause was met by a club.
A similar or even greater fee would have to be forked out for Haaland, so this might actually be the cheap option.
The Chelsea Chronicle View
I like this choice; I don’t like his price tag.
From what I’ve seen, Martinez looks like a talent. Proven goal scorer, young and he’s learning alongside Lukaku.
I just think if you’re going to spend that much, why not go a bit extra and get Haaland?
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