Arsenal to make ambitious bid for Serie A striking star

Arsenal fans will be hoping for vast improvement when they kick-off their 2021/22 Premier League campaign against Brentford. 

The Gunners endured a fairly disastrous season last term, failing to qualify for any European competition after their worst season in 25 years.

Shortly after, it was widely reported that the club’s bosses had agreed a bumper £200 transfer budget would be given to Mikel Arteta, with the Spaniard then expected to rebuild a squad that could compete for Champions League qualification next term.

A goalkeeper, central defender, midfielder and striker were all on Arteta’s shopping list, with the need for a full-back appeased by the signing of Nuno Tavares from Benfica.

It is suggested that the club wish to build a squad around the likes of Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli, while a number of the more senior and fringe players may be allowed to leave.

Now, it appears that Arsenal’s search for a striker has lead them to Serie A.

According to the Telegraph, the North London side have made an audacious enquiry into the possibility of signing Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.

The Argentine has just enjoyed his most successful season to date, winning the Serie A title with Inter and the Copa America with his country.

Having scored 19 goals and registered 11 assists last season, he is now being lined up by Arteta and technical director Edu as a potential replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.

It had been widely anticipated that the Frenchman would depart the Emirates this summer and, while speculation may have cooled on that front, it is still relatively likely that he may depart as he could be allowed to leave for around £15 million.

Martinez was part of the Argentina squad that won Copa America 2020.

That would leave Arsenal with an ageing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah as recognised centre forwards, and it has also been reported that the latter could be on his way out.

Therefore, a striker is understandably a priority for Arsenal, however Martinez may prove a very difficult target to realise.

It had been reported that Inter were willing to let Martinez go for around £77 million, but it is not yet known whether or not the Premier League side would be willing to meet that price tag.

Another striker who had been linked with a move to North London was Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham.

The England international has been told by his club that he can leave, but the Blues’ £40 million price tag has already claimed to have deterred West Ham and could do the same to the Gunners.