Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez in the summer transfer window.
The Argentinean international, 24, has been perennially linked with a move to the Reds in the past. In fact, the Merseyside giants had thought about signing him a year and a half ago before bringing in Diogo Jota from Wolves, and the Inter star still features on the list of potential targets to replace Roberto Firmino.
According to Calciomercato, Liverpool could renew their interest in Lautaro Martinez, with Jurgen Klopp a big admirer of the Inter Milan striker. Despite penning a new contract with the club a few months ago which runs till 2025, the Argentinean could be sacrificed at the end of the season, as the Italian champions look to raise funds, the report adds.
Martinez has been a sensational performer for Inter since joining from Racing Club in 2018, playing a key role in the Nerazzurri’s league title triumph last season. He has registered 61 goals and 22 assists in 165 outings for the Serie A side so far, although the 24-year-old marksman’s form has dipped in recent months.
With the Argentinean yet to find the back of the net in the league this year, whilst firing blanks in seven Champions League outings, Lautaro Martinez has attracted plenty of criticism.
Lautaro Martinez to Liverpool—Should the Reds intensify their pursuit?
Liverpool beat Tottenham to sign Luis Diaz from FC Porto in the January transfer window and the move has worked out well so far, with the Colombian netting his first goal for the Reds against Norwich City on Saturday. Diaz has blended quite well into the team and could make a huge difference in the Reds’ season as they continue to fight on all four fronts.
However, with Roberto Firmino’s form dipping in the last 15-18 months and Mohamed Salah yet to commit his long-term future at Anfield, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could be forced to dip into the transfer market for attacking reinforcements. With that in mind, Lautaro Martinez would be a good fit for Liverpool.
A technically sound and tactically smart striker, Martinez is lethal in the box and can score all kinds of goals. Thanks to his ambidexterity, he can strike the ball well with both feet and find the back of the net without much fuss. The Argentinean international can drop in between the lines, link play and times his runs to perfection in the box to finish off moves.
Aside from his finishing ability, the ex-Racing Club man is creative and has a great vision of spotting passes for his teammates in the final third. That combined with his speed, technical quality and flair make Martinez one of the top strikers in Europe.
It is clear that the exit of Romelu Lukaku and the overall instability at the Italian club has had an impact on the fortunes of the striker and his alarming dip in returns should not overtly worry someone like Jurgen Klopp who will have a clear plan in his head on the way forward should a deal materialise.
Martinez would undoubtedly improve Liverpool’s attack, whilst being an upgrade over Firmino. He would be a top fit at Anfield and give Klopp’s team a different dimension to attack. However, if the Reds are to secure his signature, they must meet Inter Milan’s €90 million asking price, which as of now, seems set to be a bigger hurdle in the transfer than Lautaro Martinez’s form.