Chelsea are willing to pay Lautaro Martinez double his current wages in an attempt to lure the Inter Milan striker to Stamford Bridge, according to reports. The Blues are ready to offer more than €10million (£8.8m) per year to sign Martinez but the Argentine ace is believed to favour a move to Barcelona.
Related articles Chelsea and Arsenal to battle over Bayern Munich defender Boateng Chelsea given transfer hope in pursuit of Real Madrid ace Hakimi Chelsea are searching for a new striker in the summer transfer market as Frank Lampard looks to ease the goalscoring burden on Tammy Abraham.
Moussa Dembele, Victor Omishen, Timo Werner and Luka Jovic have all been linked with the Blues recently, while they are also said to be keen on Inter star Martinez.
Last week, Spanish publication Sport claimed Chelsea submitted a ‘very high financial offer’ for the 22-year-old in an attempt to hijack Barcelona’s pursuit of the frontman.
And now the same outlet report that Chelsea and Manchester City are both prepared to offer bumper contracts worth more than £8.8m per year to sign Martinez.
JUST IN: Former Chelsea medic reveals why footballers at top clubs more vulnerable to coronavirus
Chelsea transfer news: The Blues are ready to double Lautaro Martinez's wages (Image: GETTY) That figure is believed to be almost double what Inter are proposing in their renewal offer as they look to tie Martinez down on a new contract beyond 2023.
The Serie A club are unable to match such lavish spending so it now appears most likely that their prized asset will move on this summer.
Martinez has a release clause of £102m, which both Chelsea and City are willing to trigger.
Barcelona are also believed to be ready to pay this figure but are supposedly reluctant to become embroiled in a bidding war over wages.
DON'T MISS
Best and worst Chelsea players this season ranked as stats highlight four huge problems
How Chelsea could line up with every player a different nationality – John Terry left out
Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ranked as worst Premier League stadium experience on matchdays
Related articles Chelsea to target Lautaro Martinez as Blues hijack Barcelona transfer Chelsea submit transfer offer for Martinez that outguns Barcelona READ MORE Chelsea identify left-back target with Serie A ace available for £26m However, the Catalan club have a key advantage compared to their transfer rivals with Martinez favouring a move to the Nou Camp.
The Argentine reportedly wants to play alongside his compatriot Lionel Messi, and this could prove crucial if Martinez tells Inter not to speak to other clubs about a move.
The youngster has 11 goals in 22 Serie A outings this season and Inter are keen to keep hold of the frontman, despite his latest rejection of their renewal offer.
Barcelona see the frontman as a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, who is 34 next year.
Chelsea transfer news: The Inter Milan ace reportedly favours a move to Barcelona (Image: GETTY) READ MORE Kepa needed 'kick-up the bum' and could match De Gea - Frank Sinclair The club are said to be confident of completing a deal but have a number of financial concerns that could prevent a deal from being completed.
Last week, Barcelona players agreed to take a 70 per cent wage cut during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in order to offer compensate for a lack of matchday revenue.
And the club could be forced to take stock and sell before they buy this summer in order to keep the books balanced.
Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic have both been touted as the most likely departures, with the duo about to enter the final 12 months of their deals.
Trending Meanwhile, Chelsea are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window with Lampard set to sign reinforcements in several departments.
The Blues are battling Manchester United for the services of Jadon Sancho while the Stamford Bridge club are also reportedly in talks with Philippe Coutinho.
Alex Telles has also emerged as the Blues’ preferred left-back target following Leicester’s £80m valuation of Ben Chilwell.
Finally, Chelsea are one of four clubs to have bids accepted by Lille for 22-year-old centre-back Gabriel Margalhaes.
