News that rivals Tottenham have met the asking price of around €60m for Lautaro Martinez hasn’t been received well by Arsenal fans and it appears that if the North London club don’t show the same desire to sign the player from Inter Milan, he will end up 4.2 miles up the road from the Emirates.
Fans are genuinely miffed that a club that is reported to be in £1b in debt due to the new stadium can keep spending post-Covid-19. Even taking the potential sale of Harry Kane into account, Spurs seem able to compete in an inflated market.
Arsenal’s technical director needs to push forcefully if the player is to avoid being in the neighbourhood for another club and the Kroenke’s may have to be dragged to an office to release the funds.
However, as I started writing this, an important update arrived, but it depends on your perspective whether it’s good or bad. The player’s agent, Alejandro Camano, spoke regarding the current speculation on his client’s future with a short, blunt statement, claiming Martinez will remain at Inter Milan. Speaking to TyC Sports, Camano said:
“Lautaro is happy at Inter and in Italy. His decision is to stay.”
Lautaro Martinez’ agent Alejandro Camano: “Lautaro is happy at Inter and in Italy. His decision is to stay”, he told to @CLMerlo. Tottenham made a bid for Lautaro days ago, Inter want to keep him. 🔵🇦🇷 #THFC #Lautaro
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2021
In a further interview with FCInter1908, Camano was also directly asked about Spurs’ bid and reiterated that the player would not try to force an exit. He said:
“He is never going to have a fight with Inter to leave the club. Never.”
Moreover, the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Sempreinter) reported that Lautaro Martinez has firmly declined the interest of Tottenham and wants to stay at Inter Milan. It also states that the player is set for contract talks with the Nerazzurri and both parties are keen to reach an agreement.
Well, I will take that with a massive pinch of salt because Inter Milan are sinking and without a cash injection, who knows how long they can stagger on. The sale of Lukaku, reported to be £97.5m, would help but if either of the North London clubs can offer more than £55m, then he, like Messi, won’t have much of a choice in the matter.
Read More:
- Arsenal’s Path to Land Bayern Munich Star is Clear With Club Open to Selling on a Cut Price Deal
- Arsenal Consider Snapping up £43m Rated Wantaway Man City Star but is the Player Interested?
- Breaking via Sky Sports: Arsenal Agree £24m Deal in Principle for England International; Another Solid Long Term Addition to the Club
It’s a deep hole to fill and according to a report from Bloomberg, the club’s total debt stands at around $602m, with the club posting 2019/20 revenues of $448m (3 May 2021). Regardless, Edu Gasper can’t be seen as coming a poor second best in the race to sign a striker with none of the current Arsenal incumbents looking a tangible threat.
As Arsenal fans, we are waiting for the annual phrase “be excited” to come to fruition, but time is running out and Arsenal are at least three players short in key areas. Whom should Arsenal buy before the transfer window closes?
Let us know in the comment below and stay tuned to know more.
