Manchester United have made no secret of a desire to sign a new striker this summer. Edinson Cavani’s contract is set to expire, while Anthony Martial is out of the picture and Mason Greenwood is a non-option.
“This is obvious,” Ralf Rangnick told ESPN last month when asked if United could add a younger striker to the squad, adding: “The club needs the best possible centre forward. This is an obvious one. I think everyone is aware of that.”
The Athletic this week linked Harry Kane, also suggesting Benfica’s Darwin Nunez as an alternative. But they are not and should not be the only options, and in particular, United should pay attention to Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
Lautaro Martinez could be sold
Inter showed last summer every player has their price, when they cashed in on Romelu Lukaku. This has set the stage for Martinez’s exit this summer, if the right offer comes in.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Inter would be prepared to sell Martinez for 70m Euros, which works out at £58 million.
Martinez fits the bill for a talented young striker, and at 24-years-old, he has a good balance of youth and top level experience, also winning a Serie A title last season.
This season Martinez has scored 16 goals so far, and is on course to better his tally of 19 from last season.
For Argentina, Martinez has a strong record of 19 goals in 37 appearances.
United’s dilemma is trying to sign a top level striker, while also fixing the other problems in the squad, which extend to central midfield and defence, while there is also talk of signing another winger.
This is one reason why a £100 million transfer for Harry Kane does not make sense, as it would use up too much of the club’s budget.
Spending closer to £60 million on Martinez could be so much more useful to United, if it enables the club to sign one or two extra players too.
United have been linked to Martinez before, only to be put off by Inter’s insistence club’s pay his £99 million release clause.
It appears they may now be willing to compromise, and accept around two-thirds of this fee, a fairer reflection of Martinez’s value.
If he really if on the market this summer, United should be paying close attention and strongly consider a move.
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