Inter Milan and Lautaro Martinez have reportedly reached an agreement over a contract extension. Renowned Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has confirmed the Argentine will pen a new deal at the Giuseppe Meazza when president Steven Zhang returns to Italy.
Martinez has been in sublime form for the Nerazzurri this season, registering 17 goals and nine assists in all competitions. Along with his partner in crime Romelu Lukaku, the 23-year-old forward has provided a backbone for Inter’s inexorable march towards the Serie A title.
Inter were desperate to tie their star to a new contract for quite some time, particularly in light of Barcelona’s growing interest in Martinez. The Catalan giants labeled the former Racing Club academy graduate as their prime target before the coronavirus crisis put the squeeze on the club’s finances last year.
The Spanish heavyweights see Martinez as a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez and a notable upgrade on their current attacking options. Indeed, Antoine Griezmann has never managed to find his feet at Camp Nou, while Martin Braithwaite remains a peripheral figure, waiting to be sold in the summer.
After being relatively quiet in the previous two transfer windows, Ronald Koeman will be looking to put his own stamp on the squad at the end of the season. The Dutchman is a big admirer of Martinez, while he also has Lionel Messi’s blessing to complete the transfer.
Unfortunately for Barcelona, Inter have already laid the groundwork for Lautaro’s extension, as they hope to close things out before the transfer window reopens for business. That is at least what Gianluca Di Marzio is inclined to believe.
“The agreements for the extension are there, but then he changed agents in the last few days. There will be more talk, but Inter’s intention is to move forward,” the Italian stated (via SempreInter).
“Zhang is expected to arrive in the next few days and it will move towards the formal discussions, after the meetings that had already taken place in January to find an agreement.”