Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag personally requests signing of Inter striker Lautaro Martinez

Manchester United are interested in signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez in the summer transfer window.

Lautaro Martinez, 26, has established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe in recent years. The Argentina international took some time to adapt to the demands of Serie A but has not looked back since becoming a mainstay in Inter Milan’s starting XI, scoring goals left, right and centre.

The 26-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career in Inter Milan colours, bagging 22 goals and supplying five assists in 30 appearances thus far, putting him in contention for the European Golden Boot with the likes of Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah. His rich vein of form has helped Simone Inzaghi’s side establish a seven-point lead at the summit of the Serie A table. However, Martinez’s long-term future at San Siro remains uncertain due to Inter’s financial problems.

Martinez, who has a contract until the summer of 2026, is in discussions with the club over a new deal. While he is willing to extend his stay at San Siro, the Nerazzurri might be forced to sell their most prized assets to balance their books in the summer.

Inter’s financial mess hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Manchester United among the clubs keen on the Argentinean centre-forward’s signature. Erik ten Hag has reportedly requested the club for the signing of Martinez.

Manchester United keeping tabs on Lautaro Martinez

Manchester United splashed £72m to secure the signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta in the summer. After adapting to the fast-paced nature of Premier League football, Hojlund has found his feet in the last couple of months, having scored in each of his last five league appearances including the 2-1 away win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Denmark international recently turned 21 and is still raw in certain aspects, so it is understandable why Man United boss Erik ten Hag wished to sign a striker in the January transfer window but was denied the chance due to budgetary problems. But with Anthony Martial set to depart once his contract expires at the end of the season, some of the goalscoring burden needs to be lifted off Hojlund’s young shoulders next season.

Ideally, an experienced goalscorer will aid Hojlund’s development and add valuable depth to Man United’s squad. Erik ten Hag is understood to have set his sights on Lautaro Martinez, the jewel in Inter Milan’s crown. The Argentinean World Cup winner was made the club captain last summer and has already plundered 22 goals in 30 appearances across all formats this term, so it is understandable why Inter want to secure his long-term future as quickly as possible.

However, with the Nerazzurri struggling financially, they might be open to Martinez’s sale in the summer to balance the books and the Red Devils could table a mega offer that would be difficult to turn down.