Arsenal could make a £60-70m move for Lautaro Martinez if they qualify for the Champions League, according to a report.

UDINE, ITALY: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on May 01, 2022. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on May 01, 2022. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The Times report that Arsenal have renewed their interest in Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, given their improved odds of qualifying for the Champions League.

Arsenal aren’t the only ones after Martinez, with Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, and Manchester United all showing an interest.

But the pivotal factor could be which of the English clubs ends up in the top four.

The Times claim Martinez wants to join a club in the Champions League, which will probably only be one of the above three Premier League sides. That team will have a clear advantage over the others.

For what it’s worth, Inter Milan are reportedly willing to accept a fee of £60-70m this summer.

Mikel Arteta reportedly intends to bring in two strikers this summer, with Martinez joining Gabriel Jesus and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on his shortlist.

UDINE, ITALY: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on May 01, 2022. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
UDINE, ITALY: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on May 01, 2022. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

CBS Sports reported last month that Arsenal have been extensively scouting Martinez.

Arsenal are searching for a young but experienced and consistent goalscorer, which isn’t necessarily going to be an easy task this summer.

The Gunners were quite regularly linked with Lautaro Martinez last summer, but it never seemed hugely realistic given Arsenal’s total spend across that window.

It was clearly preferable to invest over £100m on six good players than £60-80m on Martinez alone, considering where the Gunners were at the time. It’s a different story this time around, with the team desperate for real quality at centre-forward.

Still just 24 years old, Martinez has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, assisting three.