Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio is currently in Spain to discuss a possible summer transfer with Atletico Madrid for reported Arsenal target Lautaro Martinez as he bids to sell.
That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, who note Ausilio flew to Madrid on Tuesday ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Chelsea. He will remain in the city for Atletico’s tie with Manchester City on Wednesday, as well. But he did not travel on a shopping spree.
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Instead, the Nerazzurri chief is desperately chasing interest in Martinez’s transfer as the San Siro hierarchy seek summer sales. The Serie A giants will strive to strengthen, but they must end the window with €60-70m (£50-58m) in profit, whilst lowering the wage bill by 10-15%.
Inter Milan accept one big name must follow last year’s sales of Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi. Martinez is deemed the most likely star the Nerazzurri could sacrifice, but his value has decreased from a year ago. His pool of potential suitors has, perhaps, also shrunk.
Tottenham Hotspur offered €85m (£71m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in bonuses last year, but Inter rejected the offer having sold Lukaku. Now, Ausilio is likely to take between €70-80m (£58-66.5m) for Inter Milan to now sell Martinez, who CBS note Arsenal are scouting extensively.
Barcelona have previously courted Martinez, as well, while Atletico Madrid sounded out his situation before re-signing Antoine Griezmann last year. Colchoneros boss Diego Simeone’s interest in his compatriot remains, though. But his La Liga outfit cannot afford Ausilio’s fee.
Inter chief speaking to Atletico in bid to sell Arsenal target Lautaro Martinez
Ausilio is speaking to Atletico Madrid over Inter Milan selling Arsenal target Martinez in the summer transfer window, nonetheless. Yet Corriere dello Sport add an assumption that he could attract Premier League offers amid the 24-year-old’s 16-goal, two-assist campaign.
Martinez has struck 14 of his efforts in 28 Serie A appearances, along with both of his two assists to date. He also hit home once to help beat Juventus in the Supercoppa after extra-time. The Argentine forward drew the Nerazzurri level from the penalty spot this January.
Three of his 14 Serie A hits have also come from 12-yards. But Martinez scored a stunning strike at Liverpool in the Champions League last 16 in March. Rio Ferdinand hailed the goal as ‘fabulous’ after thrashing into the far top corner from the edge of Alisson’s penalty area.
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