A partnership for Lautaro Martinez could boost Inter Milan’s offense

A lot of names have been tossed around for Inter Milan in the upcoming summer transfer window.

We’ve heard names Manchester United’s Romalu Lukaku being linked to a Giuseppe Meazza move in the summer as the relationship with current striker Mauro Icardi remains strained.

Listen to the Serpents of Inter podcast

• Listen on Google
• Listen on Apple
• Listen on Stitcher
• Listen on Spotify

While there could be a peace found between Icardi and Inter, one thing we have seen over the past several weeks is that fellow Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez shows a lot of promise.

Recording a grand assist as well as a penalty goal for the Nerazzurri in the 3-2 win over AC Milan in Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina, Martinez continues to show Inter and its fans that his future is bright and can benefit Inter both on and off the pitch.

But, how can that development continue to ensure we see the best possible Martinez?

There has to be a partnership on and off the pitch.

First, while Martinez is a well-rounded striker – showing a keen ability to both score and assist as well as much more mobility than Icardi – he is still very young (just 21 years old). This would indicate there is still a lot of learning to be done.

This would suggest that, in order for Inter Milan to fully develop Martinez into a world-class striker, they need to pair him with one that can mentor him and show him just what that takes.

At this point in the game, I am not sure that Icardi is the right fit.

But, we can get back to that.

Inter has to strike a delicate balance if they look to bolster their attacking options in the summer. You don’t want to go after a grizzled veteran as the return on investment would likely not benefit the Nerazzurri.

On the other side of that coin, you don’t want someone too young because, what could they possibly teach Martinez.

A few names come to mind.

The first is Juventus and fellow Argentina national team striker Paulo Dybala.

Dybala isn’t too old or too young (just 25 years old) and he has seasoned experience in Serie A as a striker. Additionally, with his time on the pitch decreasing with the Old Lady, Dybala is basically wasted talent on Max Allegri’s bench.

He is also a proven striker. Just this season, Dybala has nine goals and six assists across all competitions for Juventus.

Another name that comes to mind is Edin Dzeko. The AS Roma and Bosnia and Herzegovina striker is 33 years old, but has 12 goals and three assists this season for a Roma side that has already seen its fair share of drama.

Now, the biggest problem with either of these two options is getting them to Inter.

The Giallorossi are likely going to slap a €30 million price tag on Dzeko, making it out of range for Inter. It would mean that Piero Ausilio and Beppe Marotta will have to do some negotiations with Roma to make any deal like that happen.

Issues bringing Dybala to Inter run a bit deeper. First, you have a strained relationship between Marotta and Juventus’ Fabio Patatici. Both men have weighed in on the Icardi situation in recent weeks with Patatici suggesting Juventus would wait to see what Icardi would do and Marotta responding that Inter would do the same for Dybala.

It should also be mentioned that there is no surety that Icardi will be sold in the summer or that Dybala will exit Turin. However, I think there is a positive relationship between Martinez and Dybala already cemented due to their national team partnership.

It also should be mentioned that a player like Lukaku also fits the profile. He is the same age as Dybala and has been a more potent striker this season for Manchester United – although, I think a lot of that has to do with playing time.

Either way, I believe Inter has to strengthen its attacking in the summer, whether Icardi goes or not. But, one thing the Nerazzurri should look for is a player that can mentor Martinez and develop him into the player we think he can be.

What do you think? Post your comments below!