Chelsea may want to keep a keen eye on Arsenal’s transfer dealings with Inter Milan and Lautaro Martinez over the next few days.
Eurosport reported yesterday the Gunners were undergoing negotiations to try and complete a deal for Martinez.
At the moment, Arsenal have an open shot at the Argentine, as no other European side have made Inter a formal approach for their no.10.
He is valued at around £65m (Eurosport), which for a player of his age and calibre, is not a devasting price for potential suitors.
Last season, the 23-year-old netted 19 goals in all competitions for the Serie A champions.
The centre-forward was also on target three times during his country’s successful Copa America campaign.
Hernan Crespo once said Martinez could be the new Sergio Aguero.
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In Premier League terms, this is one of the best compliments somebody could receive.
Lukaku or Lautaro?
If Arsenal managed to sign the Argentine, it would be a major coup for the Londoners, who have already spent big on Brighton & Hove Albion’s Ben White this summer.
It would, however, cause a massive blow to Chelsea’s plans.
They seemingly have every intention of buying Martinez’s San Siro strike partner, Romelu Lukaku.
A €100m (£85m) bid from the Blues for Lukaku has already been rejected by Inter, but this probably won’t be the last time they move for their former attacker.
However, the Stamford Bridge chain of command might find a chink in their business plan if Arsenal get to Martinez before they get to the Belgian.
The Italian giants will not want to sell both of their frontmen in one window, despite the obvious financial gain.
One departure should be enough to steady their economic ship, for the short-term at least.
Now it seems that Chelsea and Arsenal are in a sprint to land their ideal leading marksmen.
Whoever gets to Inter first will have a pick of the spoils; the loser is set to suffer another term without a consistent goal scorer.