Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez will stay at the club this summer and is not for sale.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano at Sky Sports Italia, Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio dismissed that the 22-year-old was for sale, unless clubs meet his release clause.
REPORT: Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez ‘Not for Sale’
£100 Million Release Clause
Yesterday, Ausilio told Sky Italia: “As far as Martinez is concerned, the only way that he will leave Inter and that is to pay his clause.
“Lautaro Martinez is not for sale. Barcelona contacted us, we have a good relationship but we told them we’ll not sell Lautaro. If they want him, Barça must pay the full release-clause.
“We want Lautaro in our future team. He will not be sold. The release clause is the only way – Barça know this as the other clubs who contacted us. And Lautaro’s release clause is so complicated.”
Clubs would need to pay Martinez’s £100 million release clause. However, with two years remaining on his contract, and with Ausilio’s admission yesterday, the striker appears to be staying in Milan for the foreseeable future.
Martinez Likely to Stay Despite Barcelona Interest
Barcelona have led the race for Martinez’s signature. However, Ausilio’s remarks show that the Nerazzurri want to retain their best players under Antonio Conte for next season.
Barca targeted Martinez as the long-term successor for current first-choice striker Luis Suarez. The Catalan club will struggle to meet the striker’s release clause unless they sell players first.
The 22-year-old forward played 31 games before the Serie A season suspended. He scored 16 goals and made four assists in all competitions for Inter this season.
Martinez moved to Milan in July 2018 after impressing for Racing Club in Argentina. The striker scored nine goals in 17 appearances at international level for Argentina.
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