106-goal star ‘wants Champions League’ amid Old Trafford interest – GiveMeSport

Manchester United will need to qualify for the Champions League if they want to lure Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez to Old Trafford, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Red Devils may have spent more than £200million during the summer window, but it appears boss Erik ten Hag has already set his sights on completing another big-money deal in the coming months.

What’s the latest news involving Martinez?

According to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United have made an enquiry about signing Martinez and are continuing to track his progress.

The report suggests reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are also mulling over whether to make a move for the 40-cap Argentina international, although he is happy at Inter.

Manchester United could reportedly offer Martinez’s current employers Cristiano Ronaldo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Donny van de Beek in a big-name swap deal as they look to strike an agreement.

But Inter are not in a rush to sanction their striker’s departure from the San Siro as his contract, which is worth in the region of £186,000-per-week, is not due to expire until the summer of 2026.

Martinez only committed his future to the Italian giants last year as he penned a long-term deal amid interest from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona.

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What has Dean Jones said about Martinez?

Jones understands that Martinez, 25, will only consider leaving Inter if a club competing in the Champions League comes calling.

Manchester United failed to qualify for the competition this season, having finished sixth in the Premier League last term, and the journalist has doubts over whether they will bag a place for the 2023/24 campaign.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “Something to consider is that – from conversations I’ve had about Martinez in the past year – if he’s going to leave Inter, he wants a club that’s playing Champions League football.

“At the moment, we don’t even know if Manchester United are going to have that.”

How does Martinez compare to Ronaldo?

Ronaldo may be a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, but he is in the final years of his career and Manchester United need to start planning for the future.

Statistics show that Martinez has averaged more goals, assists and shots on target per 90 minutes than the Portuguese star since the campaign got underway, so there is an argument that he would be an upgrade at this stage.

Ronaldo’s days at Manchester United are coming to an end as his £480,000-per-week contract is set to expire next summer and ten Hag should double down in his efforts to persuade Martinez, who has found the back of the net 106 times at senior club level, to complete a switch to Old Trafford.

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