Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old has been identified as an option to help bolster the Blues' attack, as manager Thomas Tuchel bids to add further forward firepower and build on a third-place finish last season as well as two domestic cup finals. The Athletic report that alongside highly sought-after RB Leipzig hotshot Christopher Nkunku, Martinez is under consideration after the club's takeover was confirmed.
A move to Stamford Bridge would seemingly reunite him with ex-Inter striker partner Romelu Lukaku. However, reports from Italy claim that the Nerazzurri have made the Chelsea man - who recently split with his agent - their priority transfer target, meaning it could be a sliding doors moment as the pair swap employers.
Calciomercato described Lukaku's return as a "primary need" for Inter, who this term missed out on retaining the Serie A title by just two points - a predicament made worse by the fact arch rivals AC Milan lifted the Scudetto instead, their first for more than a decade.
It is added that Inter want bring the Belgium international, who scored 64 goals in 95 games over two spectacular campaigns at San Siro, back to Milan "quickly" and have plans to meet with his representatives this week with the hope of progressing a deal. Lukaku's potential return is even affecting the Nerazzurri's other transfer plans, as their attempts to sign Paulo Dybala - soon to be released by Juventus - are said to have been put on hold.
Given their tricky financial predicament which forced them to sell Lukaku and fellow star Achraf Hakimi last summer, Inter are expected to demand another eye-watering fee from the Blues. Martinez is reportedly valued upwards of £60million by the Nerazzurri after netting 24 times this season, while Nkunku could be prised away from Leipzig for a cheaper price.
Chelsea have done dealings with both clubs in the recent past, having signed Timo Werner from Leipzig in 2020 before stumping up £97.5m for Lukaku 12 months later. Now Martinez could follow his path from Milan to west London, although the Argentine signed a new long-term contract with Inter last October, tying him down at San Siro for four more years.
Have your say! Who should Chelsea sign - Martinez or Nkunku? Let us know your pick in the comments section.
Martinez's agent has already dropped a hint over his client's future, pouring cold water on talk of a departure. "Today the only thing we want is to be champion at Inter, and then God will say. He's comfortable, he's fine," declared Alejandro Camano, via Mundo Deportivo. "But we don't get involved in what the clubs want to do, we know what Lautaro wants to do, which is to become champion with Inter and have a good World Cup.
"That's the only thing Lauti has in mind, God will tell the rest," Camano added. "Lauti is going to go give us a lot of joy in the coming years, wherever he goes he is going to be an entertainer. He will succeed wherever he is, surely he will do well. Hopefully he plays in a great team and can compete in competitions like the Champions League."
