Lautaro Martinez wouldn’t leave Inter for Arsenal
While English reports suggest Arsenal have enquired after Lautaro Martinez, in Italy they warn he’d only leave Inter for Barcelona, Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
The Argentina international was a regular in the Seleccion that won the Copa America with Lionel Messi this summer.
The Telegraph claimed this week that Arsenal had made an approach for Lautaro Martinez, who has a €111m release clause in his contract that is only valid for overseas clubs.
However, even if the Gunners managed to raise the €90m asking price, it is extremely unlikely that El Toro would accept.
Sport Mediaset transfer expert Marco Barzaghi noted that if the striker was to leave Inter, it would only be for the biggest clubs in Spain.
That means Barcelona – who he was extremely close to joining last summer – Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
Lautaro turns 24 next month, but his future at Inter remains up in the air, as his contract is due to expire in June 2023.
However, negotiations on an extension are not progressing well, with his agent assuring there was no rush.
The less time left on the contract, the more the Nerazzurri will worry that they could lose him as a free agent.
He helped them to the Serie A title last term, scoring 19 goals with 11 assists in 48 competitive games.