Paulo Dybala’s latest transfer move could prove as a blessing in disguise for Arsenal. The reason for this is because it opens up the door for Edu to complete the transfer of a long-term target in Lautaro Martinez.
According to Italian news outlet, Gazzetta Dello Sport Dybala has made the decision that he will move to Inter at the end of the season. The Argentine can leave Juventus for free at the end of the season and had been linked with a move to Arsenal but it seems he has decided to stay in the Serie A.
The Gunners are looking to sign a striker in the summer transfer window, and Dybala’s move to Inter Milan paves the way for a deal to sign Martinez. The two Argentina internationals have a very similar style of play meaning it is unlikely that Inter keep both players.
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Italian news outlet Calciomercato recently claimed that Arsenal have added Lautaro Martinez to their shortlist of summer striking options, as Arteta plots his new-look strike force. The Argentine was also linked to the club last season.
Despite 24 still being a younger age for a striker, Martinez is still very experienced having scored 11 goals in 22 Serie A games for Inter this season, and 70 goals in 177 games for the club overall. His scoring exploits have been carried over to the Argentina national team as he has scored 19 goals in 37 caps and played a major part in their Copa America win in the summer.
Edu will need to sign a striker in the summer as Alexandre Lacazette's contract is set to expire at the end of the season. This means that a decision needs to be made by the Arsenal hierarchy whether they offer the 30-year-old a new contract or not.
And it seems he could depart from the club after reported interest from his former club Lyon. Lacazette's exit seems even more likely after the recent comments made by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, as he said via Metro: "We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June. We’ve always remained in contact with him."
If the Frenchman does depart from the club then the Gunners could be left with just one recognised striker in the form of Folarin Balogun, as Nketiah's contract is also set to expire at the end of the season. Martinez would certainly be an excellent acquisition to solve the incoming striker problems for Arsenal, and Dybala could play a major part in this by joining Inter.
Arsenal were reportedly quoted at £72m if they wanted to sign Martinez last season, however, Tuttomercatoweb have now claimed that it would cost the Gunners £58m if they want to secure his services in the summer. That certainly is worth pursuing a deal when you take into consideration the credentials the forward possesses.
Despite the Gunners seemingly missing out on Dybala it could actually prove as a blessing in disguise. Martinez is five years younger than Dybala, meaning Arsenal will get to see the best of the Argentine for more years, and can still recoup the expenses of his transfer fee.
