Man Utd would strike gold with Lautaro Martinez transfer after failed swap deal

Man Utd's Old Trafford in focus

Manchester United know they need a new No 9 to arrive in this summer’s transfer window as Erik ten Hag looks to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford. And Lautaro Martinez is a player certainly worth considering, having dazzled for Inter Milan in recent years. It was claimed last year that the Red Devils had failed with a swap deal offer for the Argentina international – but, without a doubt, trying again would be a shrewd decision to make.

Manchester United want a new forward this summer. Two, ideally.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wout Weghorst are no longer at the club, while Anthony Martial has blown hot and cold for too long to be the club’s first-choice striker.

United appear to be pursuing Atalanta hitman Rasmus Hojlund, who impressed with nine goals last season.

But Martinez would be an upgrade on both Hojlund and anything Ten Hag currently has at his disposal over at Old Trafford.

United have admired the forward for a number of years. Given his statistics, it’s easy to see why.

Martinez has scored 102 goals for Inter Milan from 238 appearances since moving to the San Siro back in the summer transfer window of 2018.

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He was particularly impressive last term, scoring 28 goals from 57 matches as the Serie A giants made the Champions League final.

But had last summer gone differently, Martinez would potentially be already strutting his stuff for the club.

It was claimed last May that United had actually bid £42million for the attacker, with Martial also included in their proposal.

In the end, however, Inter rebuffed the Red Devils and they moved on to alternative targets instead.

Given how Martinez has flourished in the time since, however, United would be onto a winner if they decided to resurrect interest.

They’re already in talks with Inter for goalkeeper Andre Onana, who looks increasingly likely to move to the Premier League.

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And a second swoop, effectively killing two birds with one stone, would help United challenge for the biggest titles on offer.

While Hojlund clearly has potential, Martinez is already the finished product.

United need a proven goalscorer if they’re to reel in Manchester City next term and stop their fierce rivals from dominating again.

Ten Hag would also like a forward who can play anywhere across a front three.

Martinez can play down the middle, of course, but he’s also able to shine out wide as well.

United had hoped Jadon Sancho would be the versatile frontman capable of guiding the club to the silverware they crave.

Yet the England international has underwhelmed over the past year and could be sold this summer to raise funds.

Mason Greenwood was also versatile during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in the dugout.

But the youngster’s future at the club remains up in the air, with the 21-year-old’s last appearance coming in January 2022.

Paul Scholes hit the nail on the head earlier in the season, saying Martinez would fit Ten Hag’s system.

“I like Lautaro Martinez at Inter Milan,” he said.

“I think he’s Ten Hag’s type of player.

“He likes a centre-forward who will run about, be aggressive, get against people. There are options.

“I like Manchester United’s centre-forwards as they are. I like Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial.

“We all know the quality they’ve got. There are options out there and let’s hope we can bring one in.”

And whether United revive interest in Martinez, who appears to be a top target for Chelsea, remains to be seen.

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