Arsenal assistant manager Gabriel Heinze reportedly contacted Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez in late August to explore a surprise move to the Emirates Stadium.
The approach came as Mikel Arteta’s side searched for another attacking option and pursued a deal for Argentina international Julian Alvarez. Martinez had not been widely linked with Arsenal, but Heinze is understood to have made contact with his fellow Argentine over the possibility of a transfer.
Arsenal’s interest did not result in an agreement, with Martinez remaining at Inter. The 29-year-old has spent the majority of his career in Milan and has established himself as one of Serie A’s leading forwards.
Arsenal’s late move for Lautaro Martinez
Martinez has scored 175 goals in 378 appearances for Inter and has helped the club win three Serie A titles. His record also includes a prominent role in Argentina’s international success.
Whether his form in Italy would have translated directly to the Premier League is impossible to determine, but his experience and versatility would have offered Arsenal another option in attack.
The move emerged against the backdrop of a reshaped forward line at the north London club. Christos Tzolis was the only summer arrival for the front three, while Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus have departed and Gabriel Martinelli has been linked with an exit.
Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres remain among Arsenal’s principal options in central attack. Gyokeres has been an unused substitute in the Gunners’ opening two Premier League matches of the season, while Havertz’s fitness has been a recurring concern.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Alvarez was also understood to have become increasingly difficult, with the club recognising towards the end of August that the striker’s preference was to join Barcelona.
Heinze’s contact with Martinez therefore represented an unexpected late attempt to strengthen Arsenal’s forward options, although the Inter striker ultimately remained out of reach before the transfer window closed.
