Reports claim Arsenal are ready to break the bank for a world-class striker, but with key targets already identified, is the Italian press exaggerating their interest?
Reports from Italy claim that Arsenal are preparing a €120 million bid for Lautaro Martínez, but given the club’s carefully managed recruitment strategy, such claims appear somewhat dubious.
While Mikel Arteta has made no secret of his desire for an elite centre-forward, Arsenal’s transfer priorities for the summer window are already well established, with funds seemingly earmarked for Benjamin Šeško (€60m) and Martín Zubimendi (€50m).
With Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season and Eddie Nketiah sold, Arteta has been left with Kai Havertz as his only senior striker. Yet, despite the need for reinforcements, Arsenal opted against making a move in January, prioritising financial discipline over short-term solutions.
The club’s approach is shaped by the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which have forced teams to be more measured in their spending. Arsenal were unwilling to engage in inflated winter deals that could compromise their long-term squad-building strategy.
Their interest in Ollie Watkins never moved beyond initial discussions, as Aston Villa’s valuation made a deal prohibitive. A late attempt to test Athletic Bilbao’s resolve over Nico Williams also went nowhere, with RB Leipzig’s refusal to sell Šeško reinforcing the difficulties of mid-season negotiations.
Šeško, however, remains a priority for the summer, with Arsenal expected to trigger his €60m release clause. They are also said to have a €50m agreement to sign Zubimendi.
It is in this context that claims of a €120 million move for Martínez seem questionable.
Inter Milan’s captain signed a new contract in August, tying him to the club until 2029 on a €9 million-per-year deal. With Inter leading Serie A, they are under no pressure to sell, and it is unclear whether Arsenal would be willing—or even able—to dedicate such an enormous portion of their summer budget to a single signing.
Martínez, long linked with a Premier League move, remains an attractive option, but Arsenal’s carefully curated transfer strategy makes such an outlay unlikely. Arteta himself has reiterated the club’s commitment to patience and discipline, stating: “We are very aware that we only want to bring in certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well.”
With a €110m outlay on Šeško and Zubimendi already anticipated, suggestions that Arsenal would add a €120m Martínez bid on top appear more a case of Italian media overplaying interest than a genuine reflection of the club’s transfer plans.
Arteta’s Arsenal are methodical, not reckless—making this latest claim one to treat with scepticism.