Inter’s talks with Hertha Berlin for midfielder Valentino Lazaro have been likened to poker by German tabloid Berliner Kurier.

The Nerazzurri do not want to spend more than €17 million for the Austrian international, who has already agreed personal terms.

Hertha’s sporting director Michael Peetz is holding out for €25 million, however, ensuring the clubs’ valuations are still €8 million apart.

The paper today reported Inter and Hertha could reach an agreement at €20 million, with the Bundesliga club also receiving a percentage of any future sale.

Hertha would thereby have extra money to invest in a permanent deal for Marko Grujic, who they want to sign from Liverpool.

Lazaro scored three goals and created seven assists last season as Hertha secured an 11th-place finish in the Bundesliga.

The 23-year-old also scored in Austria’s 4-1 win over North Macedonia in Euro 2020 qualifying at the start of the month, taking Franco Foda’s side closer to next summer’s tournament.