Diego Milito has told AS that reported Tottenham Hotspur transfer target Lautaro Martinez has the talent to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona one day, but he is happy at Inter Milan.
The Nerazzurri signed Martinez from Racing Club in his native Argentina in 2018 and have seen his stock skyrocket since. The 24-year-old has scored 57 goals and laid on 22 assists in 151 games for the San Siro side, including eight goals and two assists so far this term.
Each of Martinez’s goal involvements this season have come in Serie A, including half in his last three appearances. The striker has scored once in each of his past three league outings and assisted Roberto Gagliardini against Spezia, before sitting out their 3-0 win over Roma.
Simone Inzaghi will need Martinez firing on all cylinders on Tuesday when Inter visit Real in the Champions League. The Nerazzurri enter the night second to the La Liga outfit in Group D, but can overtake the Galacticos to top their group and secure a last 16 place with a win.
Martinez can also show why Tottenham courted his services this summer and remain keen on a transfer at Real Madrid. Fabrizio Romano claimed in September that Spurs offered Inter €70m (£60m) plus €20m (£17m) in add-ons to meet their asking price at the time.
But Romelu Lukaku’s switch to Chelsea meant the Nerazzurri refused to lose Martinez in the same window. Yet Eurosport expect Spurs to try again next year after hiring Antonio Conte.
Milito tips Tottenham target Martinez to stay at Inter Milan
The allure of working with Conte again could help Tottenham convince Martinez to transfer from Inter Milan in 2022. But Nerazzurri icon Milito believes he is happy at the San Siro.
“[Martinez is] fantastic,” Milito said. “I see him happy at Inter. He is in a top European club, he has the qualities to continue progressing [and] he is very young.
“Of course, he has the qualities to play for Madrid or for Barcelona, or for other large-scale clubs. But he is already playing at a top [club].”
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