Chelsea to compete with Real Madrid for star South American forward

Chelsea and Real Madrid will compete for the signature of Lautaro Martinez

According to the Times (subscription required), Chelsea are set to face competition Real Madrid for the signature of Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez this summer.

After losing Karim Benzema, it is understandable why the Spanish giants are in the market for a striker. They are in the race for Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane.

Meanwhile, new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is a huge admirer of the Argentina international who has had another great season for his club. He also formed a good partnership with on-loan Blues striker Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea need a striker if they are to get closer to the Champions League spots next season. The likes of Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling and Co. are not your regular goal scorers. They are actually at their best when linking up with a number nine.

Coming back to Martinez, we will see him in action for one last time this season when he takes the field in Istanbul to face Manchester City in the Champions League final.

The 25-year-old has scored 28 goals and assisted 11 in 56 appearances in all competitions in the campaign so far. He has led the line and played as a support striker at times too.

The former Racing Club star’s contract at San Siro runs until the summer of 2026 (Transfermarkt). Irrespective of what happens on Saturday against City, will Inter want to let him go? Possibly so because of their financial constraints.

If there is a direct choice between Madrid and Chelsea, Martinez might go for the former because of the size of the club and the chance to play Champions League football.

More Chelsea News:

• Real Madrid have withdrawn from signing Chelsea star Kai Havertz
• Brighton Hove & Albion weighing offering another bid to sign Chelsea starlet Levi Colwill
• Chelsea target Neymar is willing to play on low wages, offers himself to Barcelona

But, does the Pochettino factor come to fruition to attract the player to move to West London? Let’s hope that is the case.