The departure of star Lionel Messi from Barcelona may push Inter striker Lautaro Martinez to consider signing a new contract with the Nerazzurri, according to a report from today’s paper edition of the Rome based newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
The report details how the Blaugrana have been keen to sign the 23-year-old Argentine striker for some time now, but couldn’t afford to pay his €111 million release clause and so had to wait until after the end of Inter’s season.
Talks restarted but then it became clear that six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi wanted to leave the Catalan side, creating chaos.
Lautaro is good friends with Messi and the 33-year-old’s presence at Barcelona was one of the important factors guiding the 23-year-old’s choice, the report continues.
But considering that Messi seems destined to leave his beloved Catalonia, Lautaro may instead choose to stay with the Nerazzurri and sign the inevitable contract renewal with the club, although the figures will be obviously less than what was offered by the Blaugrana.
