Man Utd readying striker raid as transfer takes two giant leaps forward, but Arsenal, Chelsea hatch same plan

Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal are ready to battle it out for Inter Milan hitman Lautaro Martinez this summer, TEAMtalk understands.

The three Premier League giants are in the market for a new No.9 when the transfer window reopens in the summer and Argentine ace Martinez figures highly on their wanted lists.

Martinez has been in red-hot form for Inter since returning from the World Cup where he helped Argentina win the trophy in Qatar.

The 25-year-old has scored seven goals in his last nine games in all competitions to bring his overall tally to 15 goals and seven assists so far this season.

Martinez’s suitors are aware Inter’s financial problems mean they could be forced to cash-in on Martinez at the end of the season.

Right wing-back Denzel Dumfries represents another highly saleable asset and has, ironically, also been linked with Man Utd and Chelsea.

However, Martinez would generate a far higher fee than the roughly £40m-£50m Dumfries is valued at and his sale alone would be the biggest help to their financial cause.

Osimhen, Kane difficulties make Martinez move viable

United and Chelsea have been linked with moves for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen for next season. However, that could prove a difficult deal to make due to the fact his price tag is likely to exceed £100m and Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is a notoriously tough negotiator.

Furthermore, De Laurentiis has publicly stated his lethal frontman is “not up for sale”. His boldness stems from the claim Napoli reportedly have zero debts and as such, are under no pressure to sell.

Additionally, Monday’s Transfer Gossip revealed two new high profile suitors are mulling a move anyway – Liverpool and Real Madrid. Clearly, no one club will have an Osimhen transfer all their own way even if Napoli’s stance is just posturing.

United have also been credited with an interest in Harry Kane, but Tottenham do not want to sell the England captain to a Premier League rival, thus moving Martinez up the list of potential targets at Old Trafford.

Arsenal have held a long-term interest in Martinez with Mikel Arteta a big admirer of the striker.

He could look to bring in the South American with the Gunners looking to build on their progress this season and with Champions League football almost a certainty next season at Arsenal.

Eddie Nketiah has proved a worthy deputy for Gabriel Jesus, though a move for Martinez would unquestionably represent an upgrade on the Englishman.

Martinez is understood to be keen to play in the Premier League at some point in his career and Chelsea, United and Arsenal could offer him that opportunity sooner rather than later.

With the player open to a move and Inter under pressure to cash in, a Martinez deal increasingly looks there for the making.

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