Arsenal made a desperate late attempt to sign Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez before the transfer deadline, but the £73 million move collapsed. The Daily Mirror reports that assistant manager Gabriel Heinze reached out to the Argentine international last week, only for Inter to firmly reject any sale.
Mikel Arteta's side, currently second in the Premier League with six points from two wins, sought attacking reinforcements after a frustrating summer. They had previously pursued targets like Morgan Rogers, Vinicius Jnr, and Julian Alvarez without success. This left the squad light up front, especially with Kai Havertz, who spent long periods injured last season, starting as the central attacker. The club's strong start, with four goals scored and none conceded, masked a clear need for a proven number nine.
Why did Arsenal target Lautaro Martinez?
Martinez represented a top-tier solution to Arsenal's striker search. He scored 22 goals in 41 appearances for Inter last season and has netted 175 times in his career at the San Siro, placing him third on the club's all-time scoring list. With three years remaining on his contract, Inter valued him at €85 million (£73m). Arteta was so determined to reshape his attack that he was prepared to let Gabriel Jesus, considered surplus to requirements, leave for Barcelona on deadline day. The failed move leaves natural number nine Viktor Gyokeres waiting for more minutes from the bench.
What did Lautaro Martinez say about his future?
The player's own words made a transfer highly unlikely. Martinez has repeatedly expressed his loyalty to Inter Milan. "No doubt I would like to retire at this club," he said. "It’s hard for me to imagine myself anywhere else these days." This commitment, combined with Inter's refusal to sell their leading light, presented an insurmountable obstacle for Arsenal's late scramble. Barcelona also showed interest in Martinez after being blocked from signing Julian Alvarez, but the Nou Camp opportunity similarly failed to materialize.
How does this affect Arsenal's current squad?
The failure to sign a striker leaves Arteta relying on his existing options as the season progresses. The team must now focus on maintaining their perfect defensive record and finding goals from within. This news comes as Arsenal prepare for a significant test in their next fixture, a home match against Chelsea on September 6th. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page. The squad also faces injury concerns, with Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, and Cristhian Mosquera currently sidelined, details of which are tracked on our injuries page.
What happens next for Arsenal's attack?
With the summer window closed, Arteta must now maximize the potential of Havertz, Jesus, and Gyokeres. The manager's tactical setup will be under scrutiny, especially in big matches. The team's early form is promising, but the lack of a major striker signing could be tested during a busy period. Fans can monitor the team's league position, where they sit second, on our standings hub. Arsenal's next challenge is a London derby against fourth-placed Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on September 6th.
