World Cup winner would 'love to work with Pochettino' at Chelsea

Stuart Telford

• 6 Jul 2023 09:53 BST
• 3 min read

Argentina World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez would relish the chance to work under his compatriot Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, according to a report.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Martinez, who scored 28 goals in all competitions for Inter Milan last season, with Pochettino keen to add a world class striker to his ranks.

The Blues have already signed Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson for €37 million, but with Kai Havertz joining Arsenal and Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to follow him out of Stamford Bridge, there is space for another attacker.

READ: Lautaro to Chelsea: Inter Milan reveal status of negotiations

Inter have run into financial difficulty, meanwhile, and there could be pressure to cash in on a player valued at €81.5 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm. Martinez is reportedly open to a move.

Lautaro 'would love to work with Pochettino'

"The 25-year-old would 'love to work with Pochettino', sources say, and the respect is mutual with the Blues boss believed to be a big fan of the Inter Milan striker," report FootballInsider.

Martinez and Lukaku were reunited at Inter last season with the latter returning on loan, and the Serie A giants would like the Belgian to stay in the longer term.

READ: Inter prepared to battle AC Milan for Lukaku

If they cash in on Martinez, that could be on a permanent basis from this summer - for the time being Inter have floated another loan deal with an obligation to buy for €30 million at the end of next season.

Inter have strengthened their attack with the signing of France forward Marcus Thuram on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach, although Edin Dzeko's move to Fenerbahce could leave them light up top if Martinez also goes.

As well as reaching the Champions League final last term, Martinez won the World Cup with Argentina. He didn't find the target in Qatar, but had two goals ruled out for offside against Saudi Arabia.