Manchester City could make a move for Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, who has been in splendid form for the Italian club this season. Martinez, who has been paired with Romelu Lukaku at the club, has scored 13 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions for Inter.
As per Sky Sports Italia (via Transfer Market Web), the defending Premier League champions could try to sign him in the summer of 2020. Martinez has a release clause in his current Inter deal that could be triggered in the summer by clubs outside of Italy if they pay a transfer fee of €111 million. The 22-year-old’s contract with the Italian club expires in 2023, with the player having signed a five-year deal when he joined from Argentinian side Racing Club.
Inter signed him in 2018 for a fee of €22.7 million, and he has repaid that fee handsomely, scoring 22 goals and 4 assists in 54 appearances.
Lautaro Martinez to Man City: A shrewd addition?
Manchester City need to sign a top-class striker, who could eventually replace club legend Sergio Aguero, who turns 32 next year. Gabriel Jesus has blown hot and cold for City, and he doesn’t seem like the one to automatically take over Aguero’s position in the team once the Argentine leaves.
Lautaro Martinez has been in terrific form this season not just for Inter but also for the Argentine national team. He has scored 13 times in 19 appearances for his club while scoring 9 goals in 13 appearances for his country. Quick, strong, and a very good finisher, Martinez is a lot like Aguero in the way he plays and could be the heir to him at City.
The 22-year-old is a warrior on the pitch, who can battle with stronger and bigger defenders, and come out trumps. He would fit in very well in Guardiola’s City team and would be an upgrade on Gabriel Jesus. But, City may baulk at the transfer fee as they have to buy at least one world-class central defender and a replacement for the outgoing David Silva, most likely in the next summer window.
If City have the budget to sign Martinez, they should do so without hesitating as he has the potential to be a world-class player, and help City challenge for the league title once again and also be a part of the long-term sustained success the owners are planning on establishing even further.
