Premier League champions Manchester City have identified Lautaro Martinez as the ideal candidate to replace Erling Haaland if he leaves the club.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Lautaro Martinez is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Premier League champions are scouring the market for a long-term replacement for Erling Haaland amid his links with Real Madrid and Barcelona. So, the 27-year-old Inter Milan striker has emerged as a target, with the club ready to cough up €100 million to secure his services.
The rise and rise of Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro Martinez has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world since joining Inter Milan from Racing Club in July 2018. The South American attacker gradually grew in stature after being in the shadows of Mauro Icardi and Romelu Lukaku for a few years.
The 27-year-old has succeeded Samir Handanovic as the Inter Milan captain and has embraced the additional responsibility at San Siro. Martinez was instrumental in Inter Milan’s Serie A-winning campaign last season. He then played his part as Argentina won the Copa America this past summer.
While Martinez has been slow off the blocks in the first few weeks of the 2024/25 season, he has a decent tally of four goals and three assists in 11 appearances across all competitions. Meanwhile, the Argentine attacker’s exploits for his club and country have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Manchester City.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Manchester City’s interest in Lautaro Martinez is understandable. The Premier League champions are in a spot of bother over the long-term future of Erling Haaland amid his links with Barcelona and Real Madrid. So, they are keeping their options open, with the Inter Milan captain emerging as a candidate to take over from Haaland if he departs from the Etihad.
The latest update has shed light on Manchester City’s groundwork to sign Martinez from Inter Milan. The Premier League champions are ready to cough up €100 million to sign the Argentine international from the Serie A club.
It is unclear if €100 million will do the trick and convince Inter Milan to part ways with Martinez. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old is a viable target for Manchester City, considering his output and leadership ability.
