Report: Arsenal have stepped forward to try and sign £58m striker Messi has called ‘spectacular’

Mon 18 April 2022 19:15, UK

Arsenal have been heavily linked with Lautaro Martinez in recent weeks.

Now, a report from Italian outlet – via – claims the Gunners have ‘stepped forward’ for him.

Arsenal will no doubt bolster their attacking ranks this summer amid a severe downturn in form and expiring contracts.

The Gunners have lost their last three Premier League games, all against mid-table teams.

Mikel Arteta’s decision to offload Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang mid-season and not bring in a replacement has backfired.

Arsenal have scored just once in their last three games, and that goal came from playmaker Martin Odegaard.

In addition, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract at the end of the season.

So there’s major work for Arsenal to do, and Martinez is one of several forwards the Gunners are apparently eyeing.

FC Inter News – via Sport Witness – has covered Catalan claims of a possible move to Barcelona for Martinez.

The Blaugrana apparently want to do a swap deal plus cash for the 24-year-old.

But according to the Inter source, there’s no way such a transfer will happen.

Should the Serie A side part company with Martinez, they’ll reportedly only accept cash.

Arsenal and Atletico Madrid both have ‘concrete interest’ and have already moved forward for the signing.

Therefore, it’s not believed that either club would need to compromise.

has claimed Martinez’s price tag is now between 70 and 80 million euros (£58m-66.5m).

“He has impressive qualities”

Martinez would be a great shout for Arsenal, a world-class striker with plenty of years ahead of him.

Argentina teammate Lionel Messi has waxed lyrical about his compatriot, testament to his quality.

“He’s spectacular,” quotes him as saying last year. “He has impressive qualities.

“You could tell he was going to be a great player and he is showing that.

“He’s very strong, really good one on one, scores a lot of goals.

“And in the area he fights with anyone, holds it up, he can turn, scrap to win it all on his own.

“He has a lot of quality. He’s very complete.”