Football fans have taken to social media to slam Arsenal’s recruitment amid reports emerging from Spain that the club are lining up a huge bid for a World Cup-winning No 9.
The Gunners’ current system largely relies on Kai Havertz to operate up top, though as an attacking midfielder by trade, he is perhaps not the 30-goal-a-season striker they require.
It has long been said that to get over the line as league champions, Mikel Arteta’s side need that lethal instinct in the penalty area, and they might find that in their latest target, should the reports prove true.
As such, they have been linked with a number of centre-forwards in recent seasons, with a bid tabled for Ollie Watkins in the latest transfer window.
According to Fichajes, Arsenal are believed to be lining up a bid in the region of €120nillion (£100m) for Inter Milan’s star striker Lautaro Martinez, though the report has seen the club’s recruitment come under fire.
‘They have started their nonsense again,’ wrote one fan in response to a tweet linking Fichajes initial report. ‘Link to all the players in the world and sign nothing at the end.’
Arsenal’s recruitment has been slammed by fans after reports from Spain they are lining up a bid for another striker
Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez has won seven pieces of silverware during his stint with Inter
‘What number are we at now for strikers linked to Arsenal?’ another wrote.
‘They’ve had their cup final… beating City. Put that in their trophy cabinet along with finish[ing] 2nd two seasons on the bounce and the FA Cup.’
A third added: ‘Arsenal being linked with strikers now window shut looking like another trophyless season unless they can win the Champions League’
And a fourth fan pointed to the other strikers the club has been linked with: ‘From Rashford to… Sesko. Isak. Watkins. And now to Martinez???’
Martinez has thrived at Inter, and has won two Serie A titles and five domestic cups in Italy, as well as finishing top scorer in 23-24 and being voted the best player in Italy for 2024.
Add that to his World Cup and two Copa America titles with Argentina, and Martinez is one of the most decorated No 9s operating at a high level right now.
While Italy is still one of the top four leagues in European football, the allure of the Premier League may prove difficult to turn down.
Inter are currently three points off Napoli in Serie A with a game in hand and through to the Champions League Last 16
The exposure and financial offers available in the English top-flight are almost impossible for most other divisions to compete with.
Since arriving in Milan from Racing Club in his home nation in 2018, Martinez has managed 144 goals and 49 assists in 331 games.
Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel’s exclusive column, available every Thursday on Mail+, revealed this week that the Gunners are still monitoring both Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko.
The former would likely cost them around £120m, which is naturally something of an obstacle, while the club were keen to move for the latter in January, but RB Leipzig were not open to a sale.
