With Romelu Lukaku undergoing a Chelsea medical, Inter are slamming the door shut on Tottenham, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid for Lautaro Martinez.
Lukaku had the first part of his medical in Milan’s Columbus Clinic today and will fly out over the next few days to complete the €115m transfer.
With Achraf Hakimi already sold to PSG and fans protesting, that means selling Lautaro Martinez as well would spark a fire-sale at San Siro.
Owners Suning know they cannot afford to push the supporters, coach Simone Inzaghi or directors Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio any more than this, as the Scudetto-winners have already been badly weakened.
According to Sportitalia and Sky Sport Italia, offers did arrive from Tottenham and Atletico Madrid worth €70m for Lautaro Martinez.
Arsenal also made an enquiry, but not a formal bid.
These were all rejected, partly because the original asking price was €90m, and also as now the Argentina international has become untouchable in the wake of Lukaku’s exit.
He turns 24 later this month and last season scored 19 goals with 11 assists in 48 competitive games.
It is also fair to say that Lautaro Martinez had been very close to joining Barcelona last summer and if he were to leave Inter, then he’d hold out for that transfer instead, even though Lionel Messi has now left.
The pair played together when Argentina won the Copa America last month.