Inter confident of keeping Lautaro

As relayed by Sport, Inter Milan general director Beppe Marotta says he is optimistic the club will be able to keep hold of Lautaro Martinez past this summer.

The Argentinian striker has been a long-standing target for Barcelona, who are looking to sign him as a long-term successor for the 33-year-old Luis Suarez. For his part, he is believed to be eager to make the switch and play with his international teammate, Lionel Messi, though Marotta says Lautaro never really asked to leave.

The negotiations between the two clubs have been going back and forth for several months, but at the moment Inter are refusing any kind of a deal unless Lautarao’s buyout clause, reportedly standing at €111 million, is activated. Under the current circumstances, Barcelona don’t seem able to pay that much and the whole business stands a good chance of being abandoned. The situation could change if they manage to sell Philippe Coutinho and Jean-Clair Todibo in time; they are hoping to pull in around €95m for the two of them.