Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez, who is a target for Arsenal, as the man to replace Harry Kane.
According to a report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Tottenham Hotspur have set their sights on Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as a potential replacement for star forward Harry Kane. The Argentine international is also a transfer target for local rivals Arsenal.
Martinez has developed into a quality striker since moving to Inter Milan from Racing Club in the summer of 2018. While he took some time to acclimatise, the 23-year-old has been in fine form over the past couple of seasons, forming a deadly partnership with Romelu Lukaku.
To date, Martinez has found the back of the net on 49 occasions for the Nerazzurri, of which 17 came in the Serie A last season as he essayed a key role in his side’s Scudetto win. But given Inter Milan’s financial troubles, they could be forced into selling another top player this summer after having already parted ways with Achraf Hakimi.
Arsenal have emerged as a surprise contender to sign the 23-year-old Argentine international. The Gunners have already lodged an enquiry with Inter Milan for Martinez, even though they will be unable to offer European football for the upcoming season. Furthermore, it has also been claimed that they are willing to offer Hector Bellerin as part of the deal to the Serie A champions.
However, Arsenal will now have to contend with competition from their local rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Martinez. The Lilywhites are in a precarious position with regard to the future of superstar frontman Harry Kane. The 28-year-old England captain has his heart set on an exit and is seemingly prepared to force a transfer away to Manchester City.
The Premier League champions, for their part, are ready to offer £130 million to secure the signing of Kane this summer. Should he leave, Tottenham will need a world-class marksman to replace him adequately.
Moves for Torino captain Andrea Belotti and Fiorentina sensation Dusan Vlahovic have been mooted recently. But Tottenham are now said to be eyeing Lautaro Martinez as the right candidate to come in and fill the shoes which would be left vacant by Kane’s exit.
The 23-year-old has two years left on his current contract with Inter and has shown no signs that he wants to pen an extension. So, there remains a possibility of a transfer away from San Siro. As to whether he joins Tottenham, it will depend on how the Harry Kane saga unfolds in the coming days.
