Diego Milito has told Gazzetta dello Sport that Lautaro Martinez is ‘very happy’ at and only thinks of Inter Milan, despite reported transfer interest from Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.
The iconic Argentine forward speaks often with Martinez over where his compatriot sees a future in the game. But every time the San Siro hero talks to the current Nerazzurri star, he states his joy for the city and has no appetite to embark on a new challenge elsewhere yet.
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Martinez moved to Inter Milan in 2018 from Racing Club in a €22m (£18m) deal for his first adventure away from his homeland. The 37-cap attacker has since gone on to feature 173 times for the Serie A side across all competitions, while scoring 66 and creating 23 goals.
But Martinez has an uncertain future at Inter Milan ahead of the summer transfer window, with Arsenal and Atletico Madrid supposedly circling. CBS report the Gunners are scouting the 24-year-old extensively, with Mikel Arteta keen to build rapports on what he can offer.
Additionally, Corriere dello Sport report Diego Simeone wants the Colchoneros to sign his compatriot in the off-season. Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio also met Atletico Madrid last week as his side must end the next window with €60-70m (£50-58m) in profit.
But the Nerazzurri’s asking price is out of the Wanda Metropolitano outfit’s reach. Despite Inter Milan lowering Martinez’s release clause in his new contract in October from €111m (£92m), suitors like Arsenal still face paying between €70-80m (£58-66.5m) for his services.
Arsenal target Lautaro Martinez ‘thinks of nothing’ but Inter Milan, says Milito
Arsenal have only paid more than they would offer Inter Milan for Martinez during Nicolas Pepe’s £72m transfer from Lille. But any hopes Arteta has of edging Atletico Madrid for his services may be immaterial, as Milito is confident his compatriot has no interest in moving.
“He must remain calm, it is too important a period for him and for the club,” Milito said. “I have not changed my mind about him: I continue to think of him as an extraordinary player.
“Does Simeone want him? Not only Diego, many are looking for him. But from what I understand, every time I talk to him, I know that he is very happy in Milan and thinks of nothing else.”
Martinez has scored 17 goals and provided three assists over 41 games in all competitions so far this season. Of his efforts, 15 goals and each assist has come over 29 Serie A games, helping the Nerazzurri sit just two points from leaders AC Milan, but with a game in hand.
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