Man Utd 'call Lautaro Martinez agent' but Lionel Messi intervening in transfer plans

Manchester United are keen to sign a striker in the January transfer window.

Posted Sunday, October 16, 2022 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United have reportedly made calls to Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez in hope of signing the Argentine in January, though they will have to fend off interest from Paris Saint-Germain if they are to secure his signature. Reports are still circulating that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to depart, and Martinez could be the ideal replacement for the Portuguese star.

United have made a solid start to the season, winning five of their opening eight matches after suffering defeats in their first two matches of the campaign. The arrival of several summer signings has had a significant impact on performances, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen all impressing.

The Red Devils are keen to welcome further talent to their ranks in the January transfer window, with La Gazzetta Dello Sport reporting that they have already sounded out their interest in Inter star Martinez to his representative, Alejandro Camano. However, at this stage, the 25-year-old is not interested in any moves.

Martinez has scored three and assisted one in nine Serie A appearances, with his performance against Barcelona in the Champions League – where he scored once and assisted another – really catching the eye. The Argentina international was a constant threat up against the Spanish side’s defence, with his pace and energy making him somewhat impossible to contain.

Martinez and Messi are international teammates

United are thought to be interested in signing a striker in the January transfer window, with Ronaldo still desperate to depart. But PSG also see Martinez as a top signing and believe that by acquiring the services of the former Racing star, they will be able to convince Lionel Messi to pen a new deal with the club.

International teammates Messi and Martinez are good friends and uniting the two at Le Parc de Princes is thought to be the best way to keep the latter content in France, with reports circulating that Barcelona are hoping to welcome their club legend back to the club in the summer when he becomes a free agent. It has been said that Messi has also spoken with Martinez over the phone as recently as this week.

If United are to become title contenders once more then acquiring the services of a top striker will be key, though Ten Hag believes he already has numerous goalscorers in his side. He said: “ In my team, there are players who will score.

“They come into the [scoring] position and in the last part [of the field]. It’s also about the freedom from the player, the intuition, the space they have to take.”