Arsenal plan to sign ‘the next Erling Haaland’ in ‘huge’ summer transfer
Arsenal are plotting a move to sign Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as they prioritise the signing of a new striker this summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Gunners want to sign “their Erling Haaland” to replicate Man City’s success.
Mikel Arteta is said to have been left frustrated by his side’s lack of cutting edge in the final third, and wants a goalscoring forward to make the difference.
Brown went on to explain that Pep Guardiola’s team had struggled to find a regular source of goals before Haaland’s arrival, and Arteta is keen to follow in those footsteps.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed that Arsenal want to sign Martinez as incoming sporting director Andrea Berta is a “huge fan” of the striker.
The 27-year-old’s physicality, proven goalscoring record, and experience both at the top level in Italy and with Argentina has pushed him to their top of their list of targets.
He scored 24 goals and provided six assists in 33 league games last season, and has scored 10 goals and picked up six assists in 26 appearances so far this term.
| Lautaro Martinez | |
| Appearances | 320 |
| Goals | 146 |
| Assists | 49 |
| Club Honours | 2x Serie A 2x Italian Cup 3x Italian Super Cup |
| International Honours | 1x World Cup 2x Copa America |
Arsenal plan Lautaro Martinez deal after Man City twist
Brown told Football Insider in January that Arteta is prioritising the signing of a striker after growing “very concerned” about the options in his squad as things stand.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has now insisted Martinez is on their list alongside a number of other key targets.
“Martinez has risen towards the top of their list of targets,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s a very physical forward, very strong, and he scores goals which is what they need first and foremost.
“He’s got a lot of experience at Inter Milan and with Argentina which will be a valuable asset.
“Arsenal play in a certain way under Arteta, and it reminds me a bit of what Manchester City used to do.
“It’s about controlling the game, keeping the ball and working it around until an opportunity arrived.
“But until City brought in Haaland, there would be games where they’d be going side to side without having that player who they could look for in the box.
“At their best now, they still keep the ball and work it, but they put the ball in the box and he scores.
“That’s what Arsenal need. They need a focal point up front to turn all of their possession and work on the ball into goals.
“Martinez could be that man, and there are a few others they’ve been looking at because it’s hugely important they get someone in.
“It’s something they have to do in the summer, sign the next Haaland, because Arteta is frustrated that his team can’t find a consistent source of goals once they get in the final third.”
Mikel Arteta plotting Benjamin Sesko deal after Tottenham latest
Martinez has emerged as the latest candidate to solve Arsenal’s striker issues, but they have been keeping tabs on a number of top strikers across Europe this season.
One of those is RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, who has a £58million release clause in his contract and is attracted plenty of interest.
The 21-year-old has been a long-term target for Arteta after Football Insider revealed in May 2024 that Arsenal wanted to sign Sesko from Leipzig.
While no deal was agreed last summer, they are growing in confidence that they can pull off his signing this year despite late interest in Sesko from Tottenham.
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