Martinez ready to sign £86,000-a-week Inter deal

Lautaro Martinez has agreed a new contract with Inter Milan that will get rid of his £98million release clause, according to reports.

The Argentinian forward was strongly linked with a move to Barcelona last summer as a replacement for Luis Suarez – who departed for Atletico Madrid – but Martinez opted to stay at the San Siro.

The 23-year-old’s form this season, which has seen him score 10 goals in 27 matches in all competitions, renewed talk of a move to the LaLiga giants, who are struggling in the Spanish top-flight title race this season

But according to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, Martinez will pen a new £86,500-a-week contract with Inter that will increase his chances of staying at the San Siro in the longer term.

The forward was previously on a £48,000-a-week deal with the Nerazzuri and Martinez was in talks with Inter over a bumper contract before the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Argentine initially asked for around £140,000-a-week but lowered his demands when the Covid-19 crisis impacted football’s finances in the second-half of 2021.

Martinez’s goals were crucial for Antonio Conte’s side last season as the striker netted 21 times in all competitions and formed a superb partnership with Romelu Lukaku.