Arsenal transfer blow as Lautaro Martinez ‘prefers switch to Atletico Madrid to work with Simeone’

LAUTARO MARTINEZ would rather a move to Atletico Madrid than Arsenal or Tottenham, according to reports.

The Inter striker penned a new five-year contract at the San Siro last October, but could still leave this summer.

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Martinez, 24, has attracted plenty of interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal having been linked in recent days.

North London rivals Spurs also bid for the forward last summer, with managing director Fabio Paratici a big fan.

Both look likely to be gazumped this summer, according to transfer expert Gianluca DiMarzio.

The Italian spoke to about Martinez's future.

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He said: "I think it could be the summer of Lautaro and Atletico Madrid or Tottenham could be perfect solutions for him but I know that he'd like to go to Madrid.

"Tottenham, because I think Tottenham will go forward to Lautaro, they wanted him last summer as they want another striker because they have to sell Kane.

";They want another striker to play with Kane or prepare the future without Kane and Lautaro Martinez is one of the players that Fabio Paratici loves more.

"If he (Lautaro) had to choose another team and another tournament he would choose Atletico Madrid and Simeone."

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Inter have endured financial difficulties over the last 12 months, but DiMarzio still believes it will take a large fee to prise him away.

He added: "I think that the economical situation of Inter, (they) can let Lautaro go if the offer will be really high.

"Inter demonstrated last summer that if they have to sell some important players, they'll sell the player but the offer should be very, very high. Romelu Lukaku for €113million (£97.5m), (Achraf) Hakimi for €70million (£60m)."

"So, they will not sell Lautaro for less than €70million.

"It depends on the market, depends on Haaland, depends on Mbappe."

Martinez, while managed by current Spurs boss Antonio Conte, helped Inter to the Serie A title last term.

After electing to stay following transfer speculation, Martinez has bagged 16 goals in 39 games this term.

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