Agbonlahor can’t believe Chelsea could finalise £60m Lautaro Martinez deal amid ‘world-class’ claim
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Inter Milan will make it too hard for Chelsea to seal a summer deal for Lautaro Martinez.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Blues won’t regret potentially missing out on the 25-year-old as he is not in the “world-class” bracket of strikers.
Sources told Football Insider on 16 June that Inter Milan star Martinez is keen to complete a box-office move to Chelsea as Mauricio Pochettino ramps up his interest.
It is believed a bid of £60million will be enough to seal a deal for the Argentina international this summer.
The Inter captain, who has three years left on his contract, scored 28 goals and notched 11 assists in 57 appearances as the Nerazzurri reached the final of the Champions League in the 2022-23 season.
Chelsea’s joint-top scorers, Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling, managed just nine goals each in the 2022-23 campaign as the Blues limped to a disappointing 12th-place finish.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I do like him but he has looked a bit weak in some games.
“He looks quite easily bullied, and he lacks a bit of pace. I’m not sure he’s the clinical finisher Chelsea need, either.
“I wouldn’t put him in the world-class bracket.
“I also don’t think Inter would let him go easily. They’ve got Correa, but Dzeko is leaving for Turkey and there are question marks over Lukaku.
“Especially after getting to the Champions League final. Everyone will want to go again.
“I think they’re likely to say no to any transfer, to be honest.”
In other news, Chelsea plot midfielder swap deal to fend off Tottenham swoop.