So often the Robin to Romelu Lukaku’s Batman, Lautaro Martinez is stepping out of his old partner’s shadow at the San Siro.
The Argentina international is thriving centre-stage, embarking upon a Dave Grohl-style transformation, ‘the drummer’ re-imagining himself as Inter Milan’s charismatic frontman.
‘Learn to Fly’ indeed.
In all competitions, Martinez has scored 11 goals in 22 games this season. A one-in-two record.
If he maintains his current form – and there’s no reason to believe he will not- the one-time Racing wonderkid will exceed his career-best tally of 21 with plenty of time to spare.
Especially with table-topping, free-scoring Inter ripping the rest of Serie A to ribbons.
Simone Inzaghi’s side have netted 48 times in the league already. The second-most prolific side, a famously free-wheeling Atalanta, have just 38 by comparison.
But with Inter’s well-publicised financial problems hanging like a dark cloud over the San Siro, holding on to players like Martinez will always be a challenge.
Particularly when the likes of Liverpool are showing an interest, according to Calciomercato.
COULD LAUTARO MARTINEZ LEAVE INTER MILAN FOR LIVERPOOL?
It is understood that Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League giants have identified Martinez, intelligent, aggressive and increasingly lethal, as a long-term successor for Roberto Firmino at Anfield.
Not that Liverpool’s interest has taken Inter legend-turned-director Javier Zanetti by surprise.
“Lautaro Martinez is a point of reference for us and for the Argentine national team,” says the five-time Serie A champion, via Calciomercato.
“When you buy a young player, you have to try to predict what will happen in the space of three or four years. And his growth has been important. He has matured.
“The great players will always be in demand by the big clubs but I see him every day and he is happy (at Inter). His happiness leaves me very calm. He feels important.”
Inter certainly raised an eyebrow or two when they invested nearly £20 million in a baby-faced striker from the Argentinian league back in 2018.
Three years later, that investment has been repaid with plenty of interest.
Scoring his 60th Nerazzuri goal in this weekend’s 5-0 thumping of Salernitana, Martinez drew level with Brazilian legend Ronaldo in the all-time Inter Milan scoring charts.
It won’t be long until he surpasses him either.
Three years after setting Inter back £20 million, he is now valued at three times more.
“Lautaro Martinez is one of the most exciting strikers in the world, probably,” Klopp said earlier this month after Liverpool were drawn against Inter in the Champions League knock-out stages.
One of the most exciting, certainly. One of the best, maybe.
