MILAN, ITALY - MARCH 04: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates his second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Salernitana at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 04, 2022 in Milan, . (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Inter Keen to Retain In-Demand Striker Lautaro Martinez

Inter will reportedly do everything in their power to keep hold of standout forward Lautaro Martinez in the summer. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the reigning Serie A champions are ready to fend off foreign interest to pair the Argentine up with his comrade Paulo Dybala.

Dybala appears to be on the verge of swapping allegiances in Serie A. After spending six illustrious years at Juventus, La Joya is on his way to leaving Turin for Inter, having turned down Juve’s attempts to tie him down to a new contract. 

Though Dybala’s potential arrival at Giuseppe Meazza led many to believe Inter could cut ties with Martinez, the Nerazzurri seem to have other ideas. The 24-year-old has soaked up the limelight as Simone Inzaghi’s headline performer down the final stretch of the season, and the club want to reward him by extending his stay in Lombardy. 

Inter have recently committed Martinez to a new long-term deal that should keep him at Meazza until summer 2026. The striker’s current contract does not explicitly rule out the possibility of a summer exit, especially with a growing list of foreign suitors. 

Martinez has generated plenty of interest across Europe’s top-five leagues. Barcelona and several Premier League sides, including Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, have laid their eyes on the former Racing Club starlet. 

However, Inter are now determined to retain their in-form star and pair him up with Dybala next season. With Edin Dzeko in the autumn of his playing career, the Argentine duo could be leading the line at Meazza for years to come. And what a partnership it would be!