According to Tuttomercatoweb, Real Madrid are prepared to make a move for Lautaro Martinez in the summer. It is believed that the Spanish giants are willing to meet his reported release clause of €111m, though Barcelona are also interested. The talks between Martinez and Inter with regards to a contract extension have stalled, and therefore, a move away from Milan could be on the horizon.
Real Madrid’s attacking woes
Real Madrid have struggled to find a reliable goalscorer following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Last summer, they brought in Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt, who was then considered as one of the rising stars in Europe. However, the Serbian has failed to make an impression in his debut campaign in La Liga.
Jovic has only mustered 389 minutes of league football so far, and he has scored only one goal thus far. As a result, Real Madrid have appeared overreliant on the services of their star striker Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has performed well, registering 13 goals in 21 matches while helping Real Madrid become the favourites to clinch this season’s La Liga title.
But, at the age of 32, Benzema is nearing the final phase of his career. And with that in mind, it should be imperative for Los Blancos to secure the services of a long-term replacement.
Is Martinez a viable target for Real Madrid?
Martinez joined Inter in 2018, in a €25m move from Racing Club of Argentina. And after a relatively slow start to his Serie A career, mainly due to the presence of Mauro Icardi, the youngster has hit the ground running at San Siro this season.
Indeed, the Argentine has netted 12 goals in 20 league matches for Inter so far. His lethal attacking combination with Romelu Lukaku has helped the Nerazzurri become a strong contender for the title, as these two have scored more than 50% of the club’s 42 goals in the league this season.
Martinez’s ability to hurry and hassle the opposing defender could add a new dimension to Real Madrid’s first line of the press that has lacked sharpness due to the ageing Benzema. Moreover, the 22-year-old also has a burst of speed that should combine well with players like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and even Reinier, ultimately making Los Merenguez much more deadly on the counter.
Therefore, Martinez is indeed a viable target for Real Madrid as they aim to solve their offensive issues in the summer. The Argentine has time on his side and can become an asset for the club within the coming years.
