Manchester City target Lautaro Martinez is set to sign a new £75,000-a-week contract at Inter Milan, with Tuttosport claiming that his £100 million release-clause will be removed.
City might be on a run of results unmatched in English football since the turn of the 20th century, but that does not mean Pep Guardiola is going to rest on his laurels any time soon.
With the increasingly injury-prone Sergio Aguero out of contract in July, the runaway Premier League leaders are in the market for a striker capable of replacing the most prolific player in their 141-year history.
EuroSport claimed last week that Manchester City are long-time admirers of Argentina international Martinez; an instinctive, penalty-box poacher once labelled ‘the new Aguero’ by the legendary Hernan Crespo.
The report added, however, that City had all-but given up on signing the Inter Milan star, with Martinez keen to stay at the San Siro.
So claims coming out of Italy today feel like the final nail in the coffin.
The former Racing Club talisman will sign a new deal until 2024, with Inter increasing his weekly wage from £40 to £75,000.
Furthermore, the £100 million release clause in his existing deal will be removed; a surefire sign that the Nerazzuri are keen to hold all the cards when it comes to their South American superstar.
EuroSport adds that Manchester City will likely turn to Erling Haaland if Martinez is out of their reach, although there is little to suggest the Norwegian is heading for an early exit out of Borussia Dortmund.
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