Arsenal are reportedly expected to hold preliminary talks over a deal for Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez, whom incoming sporting director Andrea Berta rates very highly.
The Gunners are now understood to have reached an agreement to hire Berta as their new sporting director following the Italian's exit from Atletico Madrid in January.
Arsenal made Berta their standout candidate after considering the likes of Thiago Scuro, Roberto Olabe, Dan Ashworth and current interim director Jason Ayto as a successor to Edu, who resigned from his post last year.
During his successful 11-and-a-half years with Atletico, Berta oversaw a number of big-money arrivals and departures, most notably the likes of Joao Felix, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Thomas Lemar.
One item on the 53-year-old's Arsenal in-tray will be the signing of a new big-money striker ahead of the 2025-26 season, and according to Football Insider, Inter's Martinez would be a top pick for Berta.
Arsenal 'expected' to hold initial talks with Martinez
© Imago
The former Atletico chief apparently tried and failed to bring the Argentina international to Diego Simeone's side while he was working in the Spanish capital, and he remains a 'big fan' of Martinez.
As a result, Arsenal are apparently expected to open 'preliminary dialogue' over a deal for the 27-year-old this summer, and the Gunners will soon 'lay the groundwork' for a blockbuster transfer.
Martinez has been persistently linked with a move to the Premier League for several years, with both Manchester United and Chelsea said to have taken a keen interest in his services in the past.
However, the 27-year-old had seemingly ended speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract at San Siro last summer, and his current terms run until the end of the 2028-29 campaign.
Martinez has amassed a total of 146 goals and 49 assists in 320 appearances for the Nerazzurri across all competitions since joining from Racing Club in a £21m deal in 2018, including 17 strikes and six helpers from 38 games this term.
Would Martinez be the number one option for Arsenal?
© Imago
There is no doubting Martinez's ruthlessness in front of goal, barring his memorable misses at the 2022 World Cup, but it would be a surprise to see the Gunners prioritise a move for the Argentine over their other targets.
Martinez should already be in the prime of his career at 27 years old, and having signed a new long-term deal in Milan last year, it would take an extortionate fee to prise him away.
In contrast, an option such as RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is far younger, several inches taller and possibly available for cheaper, as his release clause this summer could reportedly range from £49.5m to £66m.
The Gunners will certainly not be the only team in for the Slovenian this summer, but having made a concerted effort to sign him last year before he chose to stay at Leipzig, they may already have a head-start.
Ben Knapton
