Arsenal, Real Madrid and Valencia are all keeping an eye on promising young Argentinean striker Lautaro Martinez, according to reports.
Spanish publication Fichajes have reported that Arsenal, Real Madrid and Valencia are all interested in signing Argentinean wonderkid Lautaro Martinez. The 19-year-old is under contract with Racing de Avellaneda, who are unwilling to sell him but have revealed his release clause nonetheless.
Speaking in an interview with Ole, Racing de Avellaneda president Victor Blanco revealed Martinez’s release clause. “It’s true, there are many clubs interested in him”, Victor Blanco said. “He [Lautaro Martinez], however, will only leave for release clause which is set to €9 million.”
Lautaro Martinez is a 19-year-old striker who has progressed through the ranks at Racing de Avellaneda, and has made quite the impression.
The teenager is currently rated as one of the brightest young talents in South America and has shown signs of promise while playing for the Racing youth and senior sides as well as the Argentina under-20 team.
At Racing, Martinez was promoted to the senior setup at the tender age of 18, in 2015, and he continued to grow while playing alongside two of his role models in Diego Milito and, later, Lisandro Lopez. So far, Martinez has played only 17 times for the senior side, with most of his appearances coming off the bench.
He has had to play second fiddle to both the seniors, but he has showcased his undoubted qualities while playing for the Argentina under-20 side and the Racing youth teams. Martinez is a natural goal scorer, with his quickness and mobility along with his dangerous eye for goal making him a threat for opposition defences.
His best was on show at the South American Championship recently, where Martinez ended up as the top scorer of the tournament with five goals. And he was electric in the final three games as he scored four goals in those matches to ensure Argentina’s late qualification for the World Cup.
His abilities have certainly caught the eye, with Arsenal, Real Madrid and Valencia all monitoring the progress of the teenager. With Martinez touted for big things in the future, the three clubs are said to be planning a bid to land the striker.
Real Madrid have been long-time admirers of Martinez’s talents and even tried to sign the striker on loan in the summer before the player chose to stay with Racing. Valencia have long been keeping a tab on the teenager as well, and Arsenal are the latest club to register and interest in him.
If Arsenal, Real Madrid and Valencia do sign Martinez in the summer, it is unlikely that he will be able to slot right into the senior teams as a regular with each of these sides also looking at senior options for the summer. So, he might have to start by making an impression at their reserve teams before finally making the grade with the first team.
