Transfer News: Chelsea handed Lautaro Martinez blow by Inter Milan chief
Speaking to Sky Italia (h/t football.london), Inter Milan CEO, Giuseppe Marotta, revealed Inter Milan’s intentions of keeping Chelsea transfer target, Lautaro Martinez, at the club ahead of the new season.
The Blues are eyeing a striker to compete with Timo Werner for starts in attack. Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund is one name that is perpetually linked, along with Martinez of Inter.
According to a report by 90min (h/t football.london), Chelsea, alongside Liverpool and Manchester City, had asked the Italian side to keep them informed of Martinez’s situation at the club.
And as per Marotta, I Nerazzurri are set to open contract talks with the 23-year-old Argentine international. The striker joined Inter from Racing Club in Argentine three years ago in 2018.
“We want to keep Lautaro and we’ve opened talks to extend his contract.”
No Lautaro for Chelsea?
In a further statement of intent regarding Martinez’s future, the Inter CEO mentioned that the Italian champions wish to retain other big names after finalizing Achraf Hakimi’s transfer to PSG.
“Once the Hakimi operation is concluded, it will allow us to have a bit of breathing room, and we really hope that we will no longer need to sell any other big players; as we want to maintain most of the squad that won the Scudetto.”
It is no secret that Tammy Abraham lost the faith of Thomas Tuchel by the end of last season. His striker partner, Olivier Giroud, also does not look like he will be a regular starter for the club next season.
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Werner has also played out wide at times for both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, so Chelsea’s chase for a new number 9 makes sense. But as of now, it seems that Martinez is one player that would not be at Stamford Bridge after the transfer window closes.