Man Utd target wants ‘box-office summer move’ to Chelsea as Pochettino fights Liverpool for midfielder
Lautaro Martinez wants to join Chelsea this summer with Mauricio Pochettino a big fan of the Inter Milan striker, according to reports.
The Argentina international has been in brilliant form this season for Inter with Martinez providing 27 goals and nine assists in all competitions.
His goal contributions helped the Serie A side to win the Coppa Italia and reach the Champions League final, where they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Premier League champions Manchester City.
Martinez has been linked with a move to the Premier League for years with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United already linked ahead of this summer.
And now Football Insider claims that Martinez ‘is keen to complete a box-office summer move to Chelsea as Mauricio Pochettino ramps up his interest’.
It is understood that the 25-year-old is ‘on the radar of Chelsea and Man United’ with Martinez ready to leave Inter after five seasons at the Serie A giants.
On Martinez’s stance, Football Insider add:
‘Martinez has let it be known to those close to him, sources say, that he would be open and keen to speak to clubs this summer, especially those in the English Premier league and is certainly attracted by a potential move to Stamford Bridge.’
If a club chooses to make a bid of £60m for Martinez then a transfer ‘could be done this summer’ with Inter looking to raise money for their own recruitment drive.
Pochettino, who was recently appointed as the new Chelsea manager, ‘is very keen to see him join his squad this summer’ with the Blues making the signing of the new centre-forward one of their top priorities.
Romelu Lukaku, who has been on loan at Inter from Chelsea, is still on the Blues’ books but it looks unlikely that he will stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer.
As well as Martinez, Chelsea could do battle for another signing too with Liverpool competing with them for Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia.
The Sun claim Liverpool are ‘tipped to bid’ for the relegated midfielder with Chelsea boss Pochettino understood to be an ‘admirer’,
He is ‘thought to be high up the list of Pochettino’s targets’ while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is ‘hunting an anchorman’ like Lavia to compliment the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
They hint at interest from Man Utd too but the report leans more towards the Southampton star ending up at either Chelsea or Liverpool this summer.
READ MORE: Chelsea flop rejects €50m a year: every player linked with Saudi Arabia move this summer
