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Arsenal may need to sell three players to sign Lautaro Martinez even if swap deal agreed
Even if Hector Bellerin goes the other way, Arsenal will need to raise funds.
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Arsenal may need to offload at least three first-team players before moving for Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez this summer. Even with Hector Bellerin involved in a potential part-exchange, the Gunners will likely have to raise funds for a chance of signing Martinez.
With the £50million capture of Brighton defender Ben White, Arsenal are nearing the £75m mark in terms of expenditure in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have also signed Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares and Anderlecht midfield Albert Sambi Lokonga.
However, with Alexandre Lacazette's contract expiring next summer, Mikel Arteta is reportedly eyeing a new forward ahead of the 2021/22 season.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are ready to offer Bellerin as part of a deal for Martinez, who Inter value at £75m.
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With Bellerin reportedly valued at £30m, Arsenal would need a further £45m to have any hope of landing Martinez.
An Arsenal source has told Football Insider the club won't be able to afford the 23-year-old this summer.
Signing a striker is now a priority for Arteta, though, with White's arrival all but confirmed.
The Gunners boss is likely ready to sell numerous first-team players to bolster his transfer kitty with the scope of making a play for Martinez.
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Using transfermarkt's valuations, Arsenal could accumulate funds with the sales of Eddie Nketiah, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Lucas Torreira.
Nketiah and Maitland-Niles are both valued at £14m and are reportedly in the shop window.
Torreira's future is also uncertain after his loan spell away last season, with transfermarkt valuing him at £18m.
With Granit Xhaka a target for AS Roma and valued similarly to Torreira (£20m), Arsenal could sell him instead.
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The Gunners could gather the funds by selling two players who will likely be surplus to requirements if Martinez joined.
With Arsenal heavily targeting a new goalkeeper this summer, Bernd Leno's time as number one could be up.
Like Xhaka, Leno is valued at £20m, a good fee for a player who could be sitting on the bench all season.
Arsenal could also offload Lacazette and prevent the risk of losing him for free in a year, with the Frenchman valued at £25m.
There is undoubtedly enough assets in the Arsenal squad to help fund a move for Martinez, but it's easier said than done.