'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea have reportedly sent scouts to watch Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez in person as the Argentine striker lifted the Serie A title on Monday, April 22. The Nerazzurri defeated local rivals AC Milan 2-1 to win their 20th Scudetto with Martinez donning the armband.
As reported by The Boot Room, Chelsea scouts were in attendance to watch three players in the Milan derby. The Blues are thought to be interested in Inter Milan duo Lautaro Martinez and Federico Dimarco as well as AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have struggled for goals this season with Christopher Nkunku struggling with persistent injuries. Nicolas Jackson has also struggled for any kind of consistency and has not been able to fill in for the France international.
Cole Palmer has been the primary source of goals this season, with the 21-year-old bagging 25 goals across all competitions. It is understood that the west London giants are desperately looking for a striker who can produce on a weekly basis.
Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen remains the top target for Chelsea but they fear they could lose out to Paris Saint-Germain in the race to land the Nigeria international. They have reportedly identified £80 million-rated Lautaro Martinez as an alternative to Osimhen.
Martinez has been a key player for Inter Milan since joining the club from Racing Club in 2018. The Argentina international has broken a 72-year record by scoring 20 goals in three consecutive Serie A seasons for the Nerazzurri.
The 26-year-old has helped Inter Milan win seven trophies during his time at the San Siro. He has so far made 278 appearances for the club scoring 128 goals and providing 42 assists.
Joe Cole backs Chelsea star to improve his game in the years to come
Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole has likened Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher to former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson.
Gallagher has been a pivotal player for the Blues this season having scored five goals and provided eight assists in 43 appearances across all competitions. The Chelsea academy product has been one of the better players for the Blues in an otherwise forgettable season while also donning the armband on numerous occasions.
Joe Cole claimed that Gallagher had improved his game a lot over the years and could go on to become even better. The former England international said:
"I liken him to Jordan Henderson, he has got better. And he has been influential in this team. Every year I have watched him play, he has got better. And he has been influential in this team."
Gallagher's future at Stamford Bridge is up in the air despite him being an influential member of the dressing room. His current deal expires in 2025 and there has been interest from clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United of late.
