Inter Milan are prepared to double Lautaro Martinez’s wage to convince the striker to stay at the San Siro, according to Corriere dello Sport, amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
Nerazzurri chiefs are loath to see Simone Inzaghi start the new Serie A season with even fewer weapons after the exits of Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi. Chairman Giuseppe Marotta and Sporting Director Piero Ausilio are instead working hard to find replacements.
Inter are strongly against seeing Martinez follow Lukaku and Hakimi in leaving the reigning champions in the same transfer window. Tottenham presented a lucrative bid for Martinez worth €85m (£72.5m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons, but Inter rebuffed the approach.
Inter now intend to reward Martinez with a new contract, should he also reject a move to Tottenham this summer. The Argentine currently earns €5.5m-a-year (£90k-p/w) after tax, but would see his wage double if he remains at the San Siro once the market has closed.
Inzaghi considers Martinez to be a part of the foundations of the side he is building after succeeding Antonio Conte. The 23-year-old scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists over 38 Serie A appearances as the Nerazzurri clinched the Italian top-flight crown last season.
He also scored and assisted against Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage. The 23-cap striker additionally netted Inter’s only goal against Juventus over both legs of the Coppa Italia semi-final. And his form continued at the Copa America with three goals.
Tottenham want to see Martinez scoring at those levels in north London if they can agree terms with Inter Milan. Fabrizio Romano claims Spurs believe he is ‘perfect’, as they strive to add further weapons to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.
Will cash be king in Martinez race as Inter Milan look to deny Tottenham?
Tottenham would have to make Martinez one of their best-paid players to match Inter Milan’s proposed contract offer. Spotrac note Harry Kane and Tanguy Ndombele are currently the joint highest-earners at Spurs with £200,000-per-week contracts.
But even matching those figures may not be enough for Tottenham to sign Martinez from Inter Milan. Eurosport report Arsenal are ready to offer the Copa America champion £275k-p/w to snub Spurs and join Mikel Arteta’s side.
If cash is king, Martinez could favour Arsenal over Tottenham or renewing his San Siro stay. Although Spurs hold an advantage over their north London rivals if Inter Milan eventually do warm to selling the forward. Football.london report Martinez wants to join Tottenham if he leaves Inter to play with compatriots Cristian Romero and Giovani Lo Celso at club level.
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