Gabriel Heinze, a member of Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff at Arsenal, attempted to persuade Inter captain Lautaro Martinez to move to the London club, according to reports.
The 48-year-old assistant contacted the Argentina international last week to discuss the possibility of a transfer to Arsenal. Transfer News Live reported the approach, citing the Daily Mail.
However, the conversation did not develop into a concrete transfer proposal. Martinez remained at Inter, while Arsenal closed the transfer window without adding another forward to their squad.
The reported contact came as Arsenal considered options to strengthen their attack late in the window. Despite Heinze’s attempt to explore a move for Martinez, no agreement was reached and the striker continued with the Nerazzurri.
Arsenal’s main target in the position was understood to be another Argentina forward, Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid. The London club’s preference was therefore focused on Alvarez rather than Martinez, although neither player joined Arsenal before the deadline.
Martinez’s status as Inter captain made the reported approach a significant one, but it ultimately remained at the stage of discussions. There was no progress towards a deal, leaving Arsenal without the attacking reinforcement they had sought before the transfer window closed.
Heinze, who works alongside Arteta in the Arsenal coaching set-up, was the club figure reported to have made contact with Martinez. The purpose of the exchange was to discuss a possible move to London, rather than to confirm an offer or completed negotiations.
For Inter, the outcome was that their captain stayed at the club. For Arsenal, the attempted approach did not alter their plans before the deadline, and their attack was not strengthened by either Martinez or Alvarez.
The report therefore centres on a late effort by Arsenal to examine the availability of Martinez, rather than on a completed transfer. The striker remained at Inter after the contact, while Arsenal’s interest in Alvarez represented the club’s priority pursuit during the same period.