Real Madrid ‘could turn to £70m-rated Lautaro Martinez’ if they fail to sign £100m Harry Kane from Spurs… as Spanish giants ‘join Chelsea in race’ for the Inter striker
Real Madrid are reportedly considering making a move for Inter Milan star and Chelsea target Lautaro Martinez if they fail in their pursuit of Tottenham striker Harry Kane this summer.
Los Blancos have been heavily linked with a move for the £100m-rated striker since it was confirmed Karim Benzema would leave the club after 14 years – with the Frenchman revealed as an Al-Ittihad player earlier this week.
Manchester United are also in the race for the England captain, but Tottenham owner Daniel Levy is reluctant to see his star player leave this summer – despite the risk of losing him for free in a year’s time.
Levy is more likely to sanction a sale to an overseas team and reports suggest Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will try to lower Kane’s price.
However, the Spanish team are also making contingency plans in case their efforts fail.
Real Madrid would turn to Lautaro Martinez if he doesn’t sign Harry Kane this summer
David Ornstein of The Athletic says Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has become an option.
The 25-year-old has scored 28 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions this season and was instrumental in Inter’s participation in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Martinez, who is high on Chelsea’s striker wishlist, was also a member of the Argentina squad that won the World Cup in Qatar and is believed to have cost around £70million.
Kane, on the other hand, has yet to win a trophy despite his status as one of the world’s greatest strikers.
Mail Sport reported on Sunday that sources have indicated Levy will quote Madrid a minimum starting price of £100m for Kane.
Kane has one year left on his contract with Tottenham and is still waiting to win a first trophy
There is, however, thought to be room for negotiation and it looks like Real Madrid are keen to put that to the test with their reported opening offer of £69m (€80m).
Although Manchester United are interested, Levy is adamant that he does not want to sell his club’s prized asset to a domestic rival.
Real Madrid therefore have the leverage to negotiate a lower fee of less than £100m, knowing that Levy does not want to do business with another English club.
Kane, pictured in the Spurs shirt for next season, is valued in the region of £100million
Tottenham will lose Kane for nothing next year if they don’t sell him in the next two transfer windows with his contract expiring.
It remains to be seen if Kane would seriously consider leaving England for Spain.
