Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen to bring Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez to Stamford Bridge.
This according to UK news outlet The Times, who report that the Argentine tactician is a big admirer of the 25-year-old and that the Blues are ready to go head-to-head with Real Madrid for his signature this summer.
Inter striker Martinez looks to have emerged as a big potential name in the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid are reportedly keen on signing the Argentine.
Nerazzurri Vice-President Javier Zanetti has quashed the rumours of Los Blancos’ interest in signing Martinez. However, according to the Times the La Liga giants are very much interested.
Real will have to sign a replacement for Karim Benzema during the summer. The Frenchman has made his move to Al-Ittihad official, leaving a vacancy in the centre-forward at the Santiago Bernabeu.
There’s little doubt that Real will aim to make a big signing in the position. According to The Times, Martinez is very high on the Spanish club’s list of possible replacements for Benzema.
Chelsea Coach Pochettino Wants To Rival Real Madrid For Lautaro Martinez
Real are not the only big club who are keen on Martinez, however.
The Times report that the Nerazzurri striker is also a big target for Chelsea ahead of next season.
The Blues are revamping their squad for newly-appointed coach Pochettino. The 51-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Southampton boss has made clear that bringing in a centre-forward is a priority.
The Times report that there will be between three and six big name departures from Stamford Bridge this summer. Following that will be an equal number of big signings coming the other way.
Accordingly, Chelsea are ready to make big moves during the summer window.
And according to The Times, going after Inter striker Martinez is becoming a part of their plans.