Inter are ready to snub Barcelona for Lautaro Martinez, even if it means losing Arturo Vidal, so they can extend the striker’s contract and remove his €111m release clause.
There had been reports the Blaugrana were offering Antonio Conte’s old Juventus midfielder Vidal in January, or even Ivan Rakitic, as part of a long-term plan to get preferential treatment on Lautaro Martinez in the summer.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport insist that Inter have no intention of losing the Argentina international.
Inter are ready to snub Barcelona for Lautaro Martinez, even if it means losing Arturo Vidal, so they can extend the striker’s contract and remove his €111m release clause.
There had been reports the Blaugrana were offering Antonio Conte’s old Juventus midfielder Vidal in January, or even Ivan Rakitic, as part of a long-term plan to get preferential treatment on Lautaro Martinez in the summer.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport insist that Inter have no intention of losing the Argentina international.
There is an €111m release clause in his contract, but it can only be activated by clubs outside of Italy from July 1-15.
The Nerazzurri hope to have removed or at least vastly raised that figure by the time the danger zone comes around next summer.
They are negotiating a new contract that would improve his current €1.5m per season net salary and increase or even remove entirely the release clause.
Lautaro’s current deal runs to June 2023 and the 22-year-old has scored seven goals this season in 13 competitive games for Inter.
Manchester United are also believed to be interested, but Barcelona are easily the favourites for El Toro.