Tottenham ready to test Inter Milan with £77million Lautaro Martinez bid, as Antonio Conte ‘crazy’ about signing his former striker

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

Rumours in Italy claim Spurs are ready to test Inter’s resolve with a bid for the Argentine to the tune of around £77million.

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Tottenham manager Antonio Conte previously worked with the striker at the San Siro and is said to be ‘crazy’ about signing his former player.

Martinez helped fire Conte’s Inter Milan to the Serie A title in 2020 and the Italian is keen on the pair continuing their story together in north London.

Last season alone, Martinez scored 25 goals in 50 games across all competitions. He also chipped in with four assists with 42 per cent of his shots on goal hitting the target.

According to Italian football journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Spurs are preparing to test the water with a mammoth opening bid for the 24-year-old.

Although it appears they may have to lay on the charm offensive to convince the star, who would prefer to remain in Milan – where he recently opened a new restaurant.

“Lautaro Martinez wants to stay at Inter at all costs, but Tottenham, who are working on Harry Kane’s renewal, will make an important proposal for Lautaro,” Pedulla told Sportitalia.

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The journalist added on his own website: “I expect a proposal of €90m [£77m] upwards for Lautaro.

“Inter are preparing to close [the signings of] Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku, we just have to wait for the timing. 

“And Lautaro Martinez wants to stay, the agent’s words about him were sincere and not just smoke. What we can say is that Conte dotes on The Bull.

“it will depend on Inter, on the Argentine striker himself. Two things are sure: Lautaro Martinez wants to stay, Tottenham will do the impossible to uncork him at Inter.”

Whilst Martinez has not angled for a move away from the San Siro, it is claimed that if a deal is struck for a departure, then a link-up with Conte is high on his priority list.

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Inter are still deadlocked in talks with Chelsea for the loan signing of Lukaku with the west London club asking for a loan fee of around £20m for the 29-year-old.

Lukaku has been pining for a move back to Inter after leaving the Italian outfit last summer in a £97.5m deal.

Ironically, it is Lukaku’s former strike partner Martinez who could be key in a deal to take the Belgian back to the club.

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The pair formed a feared strike partnership at the San Siro, netting over 100 goals between them in two prolific seasons.

Conte has been busy in the transfer market so far snapping up Fraser Forster from Southampton and Inter’s Ivan Perisic.

Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma has passed his medical at Spurs and a deal for the Malian should be concluded imminently.

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