Inter Milan sensation Lautaro Martinez is said to be a transfer target for Manchester United.
FC Inter News report Inter are panicked about interest from United and Barcelona.
Martinez has a 111 million Euro release clause in his contract (£96 million), but they fear this is too ‘accessible’ and worry United could move.
Inter are attempting to renegotiate a new contract for Martinez with an increased release clause.
Erling Haaland is also touted in the same report as a United target, with Martinez feared by Inter to be an alternative.
Who is he?
Inter took a gamble on signing Martinez last season from Argentine club Racing Club, after he scored 18 goals in 27 games in 2017/18.
He found the transition to Serie A a bit difficult, scoring nine times last season, but this year he is flourishing under Antonio Conte.
Already in 2019/20 he has scored six times in 11 games, including two Champions League goals.
Martinez is just 22-years-old and has nine goals in 15 games for Argentina, which included a 45 minute hat-trick against Mexico earlier this season.
Would he be a good signing?
Martinez has the ability to be one of the world’s top strikers, but despite Inter’s view, £96 million is very expensive.
It took him time to settle in Italy and a transition to English football might not click immediately either. Martinez is still a work in progress.
One of his assets is his strength in the air. This would certainly provide something different to United’s current options.
Given the choice, we’d rather have Haaland over Martinez. He is three years younger and looks like a generational talent.
It would really rattle Inter and Conte if we took Martinez, especially if Romelu Lukaku produces more awful performances like he did in midweek, when he was taken off having made just eight touches in 62 minutes.
It would be preferable to see United pay up for Martinez than sign an ageing Thomas Muller, but we are sceptical over how genuine the interest is.
Clubs all over Europe know United are looking for a striker. United’s name has been used before, and will be again.
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