Arsenal given go-ahead to sign Serie A superstar striker, in sensational transfer swoop: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2024 in London, England.
(Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal have a free run to sign their dream striker, following updates in Serie A about one superstar's future.

The Gunners are said to be looking at a striker, with the Athletic's David Ornstein presenting a four-man shortlist of targets last month in one of his Q&As. Eddie Nketiah is expected to leave the club, while Gabriel Jesus has struggled with injuries this season.

While Kai Havertz has performed up top of late, interest in a long-term target could be reignited, following reports on the continent. 

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has been used up front for Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)

Spanish outlet Sport have presented a report stating that Inter Milan's early elimination from the Champions League has complicated the future of talismanic striker, Lautaro Martinez.

The World Cup winner was said to be negotiating a new contract, with the away tie against Atletico Madrid apparently used as a meeting between representatives of both parties. But an agreement hasn't been closed over Martinez extending his San Siro stay, with Sport claiming it's, “usually the norm that setbacks of this magnitude make world stars rethink their future.”

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale prior to the pre-season friendly match between FC Internazionale and Al-Nassr at Yanmar Stadium Nagai on July 27, 2023 in Osaka, Japan.

Lautaro Martinez is a long-term target of Arsenal (Image credit: Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Inter via Getty Images)

Arsenal were noted as admirers of the Argentine as recently as last month – though concrete links between Martinez and the Gunners have been sparse in recent seasons, perhaps suggesting that Mikel Arteta has moved on in terms of transfer targets. 

Martinez is worth €110 million, according to Transfermarkt

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Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.