As the new Premier League season gets ever closer, Spurs are still looking to strengthen the side with the addition of another centre-back, right-back, creative midfielder and striker to join Pierluigi Gollini, Bryan Gil and Cristian Romero in joining the club.
While the defence was expected to be the priority, it seems as if an opportunity to add a world class striker to play alongside Harry Kane may have popped up, with Sporting Director Fabio Paratici looking to take advantage of Inter Milan’s financial difficulties and attempt to sign Argentinean star Lautaro Martinez.
Tottenham opened talks days ago for Lautaro Martinez offering €70m, also Atletico asked for Lautaro. He’s a real target for Spurs – Inter now say they’ve no intention to sell him this summer. 🚨🇦🇷 #THFC
After selling Lukaku to Chelsea, Inter plan is to keep Lautaro Martinez.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2021
Reports have confirmed that a fee was agreed between Spurs and the Serie A champions in the region of €70 million, but due to Romelu Lukaku’s imminent departure from the club to Chelsea, a deal now looks improbable with Inter desperate to keep at least one of their strikers.
🗞[@SkySport] | Lautaro Martinez really likes the proposals from both Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.
🔵Inter Milan had been demanding a minimum fee of €90M, but the departure of Romelu Lukaku has closed that door being a possibility.#THFC #COYSpic.twitter.com/7BXMnD35xR
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) August 8, 2021
However, the sale of Lukaku won’t fix the financial damage that still looms over the club, as they near liquidation largely due to their loss of income because of the COVID pandemic and crippling debt.
Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is expected to replace the Belgian striker, however Inter are still aiming on tying down Martinez to a new contract, warding off interest from Spurs and Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
Tottenham have agreed to a fee for Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, according to @garyjacob pic.twitter.com/0akjpxkIZO
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 8, 2021
This story isn’t done yet though, as Spurs are believed to be willing to pay the price tag set by Inter on Martinez, and the Argentina international is believed to be keen on a move to North London where he would link up with compatriots Giovani Lo Celso and new signing Romero, and personal terms aren’t expected to be an issue for either party.
Arsenal are also said to be interested in signing the forward – but after their last season in which they failed to qualify for a single European competition, it’s even more unlikely they will be able to lure Martinez to the Emirates, especially as they don’t have a key figure in the backroom staff with pulling power near the same level as Paratici’s.
🚨 NEW: Fabio Paratici made a call to Lionel Messi’s dad after he left Barcelona. More information in the article below. https://t.co/KoxtDo4vSr
— The Spurs Web (@thespursweb) August 9, 2021
Meanwhile, Paratici also contacted Lionel Messi’s father to see if the best player in the world would be willing to swap Champions League for the Conference League (definitely not happening but credit to the Italian for having the audacity to try), and the alternative target to Martinez, Dusan Vlahovic, is expected to sign a new contract with his club Fiorentina.