There is distance, but trust remains high: possible meeting in Madrid in March And now Torino is valued at 150 million…
Inter’s number 10 wants 10. At least 10 million to start with to extend the Nerazzurri’s contract which, however, does not expire tomorrow or even the day after. Lautaro Martinez, 10 on his shirt and armband – both suit him -, has been in negotiations for months now to extend his love story with Inter until 2028: at the moment, however, it is based on a comfortable agreement until ’26. The requested amount to which the bonuses must be added is, however, still a couple of million above the fixed base on which the Nerazzurri managers are reasoning (8 million, plus the variable part) and this explains the reason for the still late signing: when the Inter fans seem about to uncork a good bottle, the date suddenly moves further. In short, despite the optimism that was (and still is) breathed in full lungs both in Viale della Liberazione and in the Toro clan, we are waiting for the last sprint to thin out two positions that are not close enough.
The match
—
Given the initial enthusiasm and a negotiation started immediately on the basis of a common will, we thought of a quicker happy ending. The slowdown, however, has put the Nerazzurri people on the alert, astonished by the cold words of Lautaro’s agent Alejandro Camaño (“There are differences, but there is dialogue”) and also by the nuances of the captain himself after beating the Juve (“The agreement is not easy, but we are on the right track”). Nothing to cause alarm at the moment: you need time and patience to get closer, modulating not only the fixed part but above all the bonuses linked to attendance and results. Other meetings are necessary and a strategic one could be held in about a month, depending on the prosecutor’s commitments outside Europe. Camaño’s agency is based in Madrid and Inter will arrive in the city on March 13th for the return of the Champions League with Atletico: the occasion is tempting to re-address the issue face to face. In these places, haste is in any case banned, given that 2026 deadline on which the current contract signed in October 2021 is based. It is no coincidence that Inter started playing the match very early: the desire to immediately eradicate the risks is evident of a Skriniar-bis, but also testifies to the importance of the Lautaro file, a “special” player for everyone. However, still having two and a half years of marriage ahead of us reassures and gives strength to Inter: even in the event of a lack of agreement and a subsequent attack by top foreign clubs, no discounts would be given on the merchandise. In this Inter no one is “untransferable”, even Lautaro, but the club considers the Argentine a jewel worth 150 million. The evaluation is the result of the current contract and the powerful exploit in the season, while with an eye we look at the possible domino of peaks in the summer: a Paris-Madrid flight for Mbappé would bring consequences, so why exclude the assault of a big in Martinez?
patience
—
This negotiation also fits into the moment of greater “interism” of Toro, recognized by all as a guide and example. At the same time, Lautaro had never felt so Nerazzurri: at Inter he completed himself as a striker, in Milan he started a happy family with his wife Agustina and children Nina and Theo. He certainly wouldn’t want to leave a place that he considers home, although he believes it’s right to adapt to his new status as dominator of Serie A: the aim is to get closer to the championship’s big buck, Osimhen who has risen to 10 million. Inter knows this and has already made a great effort to get the maximum salary of the squad in the first offer: for now the highest paid in the company is Calhanoglu at 6.5, while for the Argentine it would rise from 6 to 8 more bonuses. Negotiation between parties who have good relations and a mutual willingness to come together should do the rest. Yesterday Piero Ausilio spoke publicly again about this case: “Lautaro said that we shouldn’t worry about the renewal? I don’t see why he shouldn’t confirm it…”, the sporting director winked. And then yet another optimistic opening: “We both want extending it takes patience but I’m sure that in the end an agreement will be reached.” It’s true, there is no rush, but no one would like additional delays: by the end of the season Inter want a star on their chest and an Argentine signature.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED