La Liga champions Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez, valued at €100 million by Inter Milan.
According to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercatoweb, Lautaro Martinez is the subject of interest from Real Madrid over a possible move in the 2023 summer transfer window. Inter Milan will demand around €100 million to part ways with the Argentine striker.
Lautaro Martinez joined Inter Milan from Racing Club in July 2018 and has since come leaps and bounds. Now one of the best strikers plying their trade in Europe, the 25-year-old is a pivotal figure for the Nerazzurri. But he has endured a difficult 2022/23 campaign, managing only four goals and two assists in 13 appearances.
But Martinez has shown signs of improvement, stamping his authority against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. And the Argentine international’s performances have captured the attention of one of the biggest clubs in Europe, Real Madrid.
Real Madrid will soon lay down a succession plan for Karim Benzema, with the Frenchman well into his thirties. While the 34-year-old has been sensational in the last four seasons, he is in the twilight of his career. Real Madrid will thus need to identify a long-term replacement for Benzema.
Erling Haaland is reportedly the priority target for Real Madrid to replace Benzema. But the Norwegian striker will be a hot property in two years, considering he has a release clause valid for foreign clubs. And recent reports have claimed that Barcelona and PSG also want to sign Haaland from Manchester City.
Lautaro Martinez is thus a viable alternative to consider for Real Madrid. With the Argentine striker yet to hit his peak, a move to the Santiago Bernabeu might do wonders for his career. But the 25-year-old will not come cheap, with Inter Milan likely to demand around €100 million for him.
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Considering Real Madrid might not have any qualms about paying €200 million for Haaland, €100 million seems a decent outlay for Martinez. So it will be interesting to see how this story develops in the coming months. Inter Milan will surely have sleepless nights thinking about the player’s future.
