Transfer Centre

Lautaro Martinez 'refusing to enter new contract talks with Inter Milan'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 04 May 2020

Lautaro Martinez refuses to enter talks with Inter Milan over a new contract amid links with Manchester City and Barcelona, according to a report.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is refusing to enter talks over a new deal amid links with Barcelona and Manchester City, according to a report.

The 22-year-old has been tipped to replace Luis Suarez at Barca following an impressive campaign for Inter, where he has registered 16 goals from 31 appearances in all competitions.

Furthermore, the Argentine is rumoured to be eyeing up Camp Nou as his preferred destination this summer, and the Catalan giants have supposedly been handed a significant boost in their pursuit of the striker.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Martinez has rebuffed Inter's offers of an improved new deal, with his current contract at San Siro set to expire in 2023.

The report also claims that City could have the financial advantage over Barcelona in the race for Martinez, with Pep Guardiola's side more likely to activate the forward's £98.5m release clause.

However, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic wreaking havoc on sporting leagues across the world, it remains to be seen whether clubs will be able to finance big-money deals this summer.

Martinez has chalked up 25 goals from 66 appearances for Inter since arriving from Racing in 2018.